The Floater January 2017

January 2017 - Frank Sanderson reports

​A cold but fine day saw two teams of volunteers out and about clearing brash from two sections of the in-filled section of the Lancaster Canal, near Kendal.

One team continued the clearing at Larkrigg Hall Park, south of bridge 180 and burning the brash to open up and let in light on the canal bed to encourage wild flowers.

January 2017 - By Peter Underwood

Here is a round up of the most recent Canal & River Trust press releases, they form a snapshot of what the charity wants the outside world to focus upon. Peter Underwood sees the waterways through C&RT lenses.

Bridge repair

The Trust is repairing the Acton swing bridge, near Northwich, from January 23. It carries the busy A49 road over the River Weaver Navigation and, as a result the Trust isn't paying for the work and the £1.5m cost will be paid by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

January 2017 - Allan Richards follows up his investigation into the events surrounding C&RT's seizure of an historic lightship.

The ineptitude that has surrounded the handling of the dispute between the Canal & River Trust and the owner of the historic lightship Planet continues to engulf those involved.

January 2017 - Allen Richards investigates

Pointing out other people's mistakes in type is always fraught for a news organisation – which makes enough errors of its own – but Allan Richards has braved the fates as this time a simple transposition of letters has wider implications.

It is a standard part of the argument when some continuously cruising boaters question the Canal & River Trust's policies: “You accepted the terms and conditions when you paid for the licence – you can't complain now.”

January 2017 - by Peter Underwood

London's local councils, especially in the increasingly 'hipster' areas of the capital are attempting to have a greater say in how boaters live on the canals passing through their areas.

January 2017 - By Peter Underwood

Big river locks are expensive beasts and the Canal & River Trust has just begun a £500,000 project to repair Brick Lock, on the River Stort near Roydon.

One of 15 locks on the Start navigation, Brick Lock was built in 1769 and now has deteriorated to the extent that one whole wall needs to be taken apart and put back together – although project Manager Colin Perks insists there is 'no immediate threat.'

January 2017 - Allan Richards investigates

The Health and Safety executive has confirmed that an ongoing investigation into one of the recent deaths at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct may result in criminal prosecution. On 31 May 2016, 18 year old Kris McDowell fell to his death from the World Heritage Site Aqueduct.