On the Wigan lock flight, here will be ONE supervised passage on Saturday, Sunday and Monday starting at 10.00 am PROMPT between Locks 65 (Wigan Top Lock) & Lock 85 (above junction with Leigh Branch). Any boats arriving after this time will have to wait until 10.00 am the following day for the next available passage.
The locks between Henhurst Lock (86) and Ell Meadow Lock (89) will be open between 8.00 am and 1.00 pm only. Any boats arriving after this time will have to wait until 8.00 am the following day for the next available passage.
Poolstock Locks 1 & 2 on the Leigh Branch will be open between 8.00 am and 1.00 pm only. Any boats arriving after this time will have to wait until 8.00 am the following day for the next available passage.
Passage between Dean Lock (90) and Appley Lock (91) will be strictly monitored. Passages will only be permitted if water levels allow.
British Waterways will not guarantee passage if water levels are not sufficient to permit navigation.
BW has brought in a pump to extract more water from the River Douglas at Scholes, which is slowly helping the situation.
BW has asked boaters not contact Freefone Canals for updates relating to these restrictions as this number is for emergencies only.
BW will issue a further update on Monday 7th June at 2.00 pm.
Enquiries about this stoppage should be made to BW on 01942 405700.
Update 7th June:
BW says that the above restrictions will remain in force for the time being.
Henhurst Lock, Wigan
Just as a matter of interest why do they need a pump? I thought they could draw directly from the River Douglas via a sough which entered the canal at the Junction with the Leigh Branch. I remember when the national was at Wigan this being used. BW did not like to use this as it brought in loads of pollution and silt. Presumably the form is no longer a problem, now we have no industry, but the later could well still cause future problems.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, Ian. However, BW has had problems over the winter with water from the feeder flooding houses. I don't know whether that has any connection with it. Maybe they are having to pump water through a pipe?
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