Write to Towpath Talk on any water-related topic of your choice. Each month the editor will select a star letter and will delve into the depths of the Towpath Talk treasure chest to send the lucky winner a prize. Send your letters to: Towpath Talk Letters, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs. LN9 6JR or email them to:

This month’s winner is...

Have you scene these?

CAN your readers help in identifying the locations and approximate dates of these two photographs?

One is a canal scene. I have pored over this with a magnifying glass and date it as 1920-1960. I wish at some stage to hand it over to the appropriate local council.

The other photo is a river scene which I find delightful. I don't think there is much chance of finding the location, but it may be worth a try. However I hope you find them as interesting as I do.

Archie Bryson,
Newark.

Ed. If you have any suggestions where these locations may be, please send them to editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk and we will pass them on to Archie.

Considerate users

I understand that the aim of your publication is inclusive use of the inland waterways. It is encouraging to see a new column on fishing and another article on the same subject in your April edition.

As a long-term boater, I too understand the reasons for encouraging full use of the canals and rivers by all and try at all times to be a considerate user of this wonderful amenity. I endorse the aims of BW, yourselves, SOW and other organisations in working to this end. I also agree that consideration for others and good practice on our waterways enables everyone to enjoy our waterways inheritance.

However, knowing all the above I was very surprised to see four photographs in Towpath Talk showing fishermen fishing in prohibited places as referred to in the Waterways Code published by BW, that is within 25 metres of a lock or bridge. Pictures speak louder than words and it was ironic that that two of them were within the BW special article! One of these was repeated in your summary of contents and the fourth was advertising the Moira Festival on the Ashby.

I quote from the Waterways Code: “Don’t obstruct locks, bridges, designated moorings, water points or turning points. Boat crews need access to the bank within 25 metres of locks or moveable bridges so do not fish there.”

I have experienced verbal abuse from fishermen when trying to enter locks and also seen evidence of anger when asked politely to move from lock landings to allow boating access. For our part we slow down for them and even exchange remarks as we pass but do find it strange that we can be so resented.

Perhaps it would be a good idea for the Waterways Code to be published within your paper and more extensively and regularly distributed to all the users of inland waterways.

Fiona Slee, via email

Ed: We asked a spokesman for the National Federation of Anglers to comment on your observations, he said: “Bylaws set out what is and is not allowed for all water users; and angling is not permitted within certain distances of certain structures. All water users have a responsibility to act safely and respect the needs of others. It is only through education for all users that we can work together to ensure that everyone can enjoy the waterways safely”.

BW on a charm offensive?

JUDGING by the April edition of TPT, it would seem BW is using its communication and PR facilities to mount a ‘Charm Offensive’ with waterways publications. The aim appears to be to convince waterways users that everything is fine on the network and the budget cuts have had no significant effect with regard to the safety or operation of the system.

I beg to differ. While the emergency call-out operation of BW works as well as ever, routine and preventative maintenance appear to have become a thing of the past.

Despite claims that the system is ‘with only a few isolated exceptions totally fit for purpose’, how can boaters fail to notice problems such as paddle mechanisms being very stiff to operate due to rusty bearings? The said bearings in the ground paddle mechanism had not been lubricated for a considerable period of time and contained only rusty water, not grease! A classic case of penny-wise; pound foolish?

Further along the Trent & Mersey canal, at Alrewas Weir, a boating incident over a year ago dislodged several flotation doughnuts such that the safety hawser is now below water level and therefore almost useless (see pic1). Surely this is a major safety issue? However, we are told by BW that ‘no safety critical work is outstanding’!

Just around the corner, much of the mooring area below Alrewas lock has collapsed into the canal/Trent (see pic2). The problem began in the spring of 2007 and has been allowed to get rapidly worse. Anyone using this lock is bound to be seriously inconvenienced by this situation. It makes life especially difficult for the crews of hire boats based at the nearby Barton Marina.

A similar situation exists below Penkridge lock. Here BW has decided to fence off the subsided area rather than carry out the necessary repairs.

So, in reality everything is not fine on the cut. The canal system never was and never will be low maintenance. It is a 200+ year old ‘working museum’ and needs TLC to keep it operating properly.

If BW went ‘back to basics’ with a mission statement (how I hate those words) of say, ‘Another 200 Years’, scrapped prestige projects and re-instated lengthsmen, then they wouldn't need a PR budget at all. Everyone would be on their side! BW doesn't seem to realise that seeing a ‘blue shirt’ fixing something is a PR statement.

I’m sure many boaters, like myself, would be prepared to do low level maintenance tasks such as lubricating lock paddle mechanisms, checking the tightness of bolts and the like, on a voluntary basis to save money. As I travel around the system I would willingly report problems, complete with photographs, (if that would help), to an appropriate email contact within BW.

After all, as a liveaboard it is in my interest to see the cut is kept in as good a condition as possible as cost effectively as possible.

Ralph Freeman, nb Grey Nomad.

Re Towpath Talk issue 28; rarely have I seen a piece of journalism provoke such a reaction among the boating community.

As a customer of BWML, I face yet more financial worry, with annual extortionate mooring fees well above inflation.

Mr Froomberg seems completely oblivious or just complacent to the fact that a large percentage of his customers are retired (fixed income).

It seems to me ‘market forces’ eg failure to invest in moorings at a sufficient rate, pays his obscene salary.

The only apparent investment is in BWML’s fast growing fleet. Boaters encounter the frigate Contemptuous or are broadsided by the battleship Woeful Incompetence. Of course if all else fails you could be torpedoed by the submarine Market Force.

Dignity, Ripon Racecourse Marina

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