K&A Canal navigation notes: Friday 15th April 2011

AP Herbert Lock (46), Devizes: 
stoppage extended

AP Herbert Lock (46) Devizes 

The emergency stoppage for replacement of the wooden bottom gates has been extended. The lock is now due to re-open at 8am on Friday 22nd April.

Reading: County Lock (106)

The floating pontoon at the entrance to County Lock is in a very unsafe state — BW have taken steps to prevent its use. Do not attempt to use it.

Crofton Flight (lock 60)

One of the ground paddles is out of action — as it has been for a considerable time.

Great Bedwyn Church Lock (64)

One of the ground paddles is still out of action - as it has been for 3 years.

Crofton waterpoint

Still out of action because of contamination. The nearest water is at Great Bedwyn Wharf or below Wootton Rivers Lock (51)

Rubbish disposal

There is no longer a waste disposal bin near the sanitary station at Hungerford  because of access problems for the Biffa 'one man' waste carts. The nearest rubbish disposal bins to Hungerford are at Kintbury and Great Bedwyn Wharf.

To report fly-tipping and any other problems with the waste disposal sites contact BW in Devizes: 01380 722859 or by email to: enquiries.kennetavon@britishwaterways.co.uk

Pump outs

There are no reported problems with the BW pump outs on the canal.

Cards for BW pump-outs can be bought for £10 each from:

 • Aldermaston Wharf Canal Centre

 • Frouds Bridge Marina

 • Bev & Geoff's Pitstop, Newbury

 • The Dundas Arms Hotel, Kintbury

 • Tutti Pole Tea Room, Hungerford 

 • Great Bedwyn Post Office

 • The Waterfront, Pewsey Wharf

 • The Canal Centre, Devizes Wharf

 • The Caen Hill Café, Devizes

 • Foxhanger Canal Holidays, Devizes 

 • The Boatyard, Trowbridge

 • ABC Leisure Group, Trowbridge

 • Sally Boats, Bradford On Avon

 • The Bath and Dundas Canal Co., Somerset Coal Canal

 • Bath Narrowboats

For contact details for these businesses go to: www.kacanaltimes.co.uk where they are listed under canal services.


Gibson Boat Services:
Summer opening times

Water watch

February was the mildest since 2002 and rainfall was below normal in the south of England. The reservoir holdings for the Kennet & Avon Canal at the end of January 2011 were 69.2% of capacity and in February that dropped to 68.8% but that rose to 82.6% of total capacity in March — which is slightly above the lowest recorded holding for March in 2006 when it was at  82%.

Water levels throughout the canal are reported to be good.

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