Canal Cuttings – December 2024
Although the boat numbers have been down all season, there seems to have been a late spurt of activity. The October half term weeks were reasonably fine, and unseasonably mild, so visitor numbers picked up a bit as well. Later storm Bert wreaked damage across the canal system; in Foxton three large Scots pines came down near Clarks Bridge (No 5) blocking the navigation. They have been cleared now.
Water management
Water is being drawn off the summit level (at the top of the locks) as there are some problems with one of the reservoirs, and also the earth embankment for the river Avon aqueduct near Welford, so the levels need to be kept down. Water management is a huge, if largely unseen (and expensive) part of Canal & River Trust’s responsibilities. Earth embankments can be a serious concern, as being artificial they are prone to sinkage and sometimes failure, particularly if prolonged heavy rain soaks down to the foundations and makes them unstable. Also badgers are very fond of making their setts in the comparatively soft earth, are protected by law, and notoriously difficult to move once established.
The old arm to the top of the Inclined Plane has a considerable embankment on the road side, and has been home to badgers for as long as anybody can remember. They were all re-homed, at considerable cost, when the arm was piled, re-lined and re-watered as part one of the proposed restoration of the Plane in 2003. Currently not a feasible proposition, after the various financial crashes since, the creatures have taken the opportunity to return.
Due to staff issues, the locks themselves will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. (Not the site). If the weather is reasonable and there is no ice, the canal can be quite busy for the holiday fortnight; many people decorate their boats, and the smell of wood and coal smoke from the cabin chimneys wafts in the air.
Mary Matts
Christmas at St Andrew’s, Foxton
