Date for resumption of K&A Canal as a through-route uncertain

There is no forecast of when the historic Victoria Bridge across the River Avon in Bath might be made safe. Until this work is done no boats can pass under it again — and now British Waterways has announced that no decision on when the central 11.5 mile stretch between Crofton Lock 60 and Copse Lock (80) will be re-opened will be made until some time in January.

Some movement might be possible within this central section of the canal in between planned stoppages for maintenance —  but... if you need to move a boat in this area of the canal it might be wise to phone BW on: 01380 722859 or you can try to decipher this stoppage notice from Waterscape.

NAVIGATION CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE  LOCK 61 TO LOCK 80

Thursday 17 November 2011 until further notice
UPDATE (20 December 2011): Stoppage Update, East of Crofton
(Crofton Locks, Beech Grove Lock, Hungerford Marsh Lock, Water Shortage) 

Stoppage Works on the Crofton flight will be completed by 23 December 2011.  However, due to an on-going water shortage the canal will remain closed until 4th January 2012 while empty pounds are filled. 

The Crofton flight will be fully opened on 4th January 2012.  Passage will not be possible prior to this date. 

In order to provide an opportunity for boats to travel east from the summit, stoppage works at Beech Grove (Lock 63) have been deferred by a week to start on 9 January 2012.  Beech Grove lock will be closed for one week. 

Note that stoppage work at Hungerford Marsh Lock will commence, as planned, on 9th January 2012. 

The on-going water related closure of the canal from Crofton to Copse Lock will be reviewed in January with a view to re-opening the canal in the sections between planned stoppages.
Thank you for your continued support of the Kennet and Avon Waterways.

Stoppage history:
The canal has been closed to navigation between Crofton Lock 61 and Copse Lock 80 due to lack of adequate water supplies to support boat movement. 

All of the locks within the closed section will be padlocked to prevent use.  We are allowing levels in individual canal pounds to recover slowly. Several sections are very low and will take some time to come back to normal level. This is a long term problem brought about by ground water level being extremely low, in fact it is at the lowest level for 90 years. 

The reservoir level is also very low and currently has little or no feed to recharge the system. The current stoppage is necessary to recover levels and help protect aquatic life in the canal. 

British Waterways is currently looking to support the closed section with additional water supply from other sources.
The current closure is being reviewed weekly, and with little or no significant rain forecast the current closure may remain in force for some weeks.

Craft that are trapped within the closed section are requested to remain where they are, but to adjust mooring ropes to accommodate changes in water levels.

Any request for craft movement will be dealt with on an individual basis and will be subject to available water supplies, canal water levels and individual circumstances.

British Waterways apologise for any inconvenience caused.
17 November 2011
Enquiries: Tel: 01380 722859 - 0900 Mon-1630 Fri, 1630 Fri to 0900 Mon 0800 4799947 (Option 2)

enquiries.kennetavon@britishwaterways.co.uk
More stoppages on this waterway: http://www.waterscape.com/canals-and-rivers/kennet-and-avon-canal/boating/stoppages
You can find all stoppages at the url below:
http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/boating/stoppages
Please do not reply to the email. It has been automatically generated.