> That's good news. So could anyone come up with a definitive list of > routes that will be open? I'd love to bring Quidditch down (and have a > crew willing to do the 80 hours over a weekend) but I'm confused about > which stoppages will be relaxed for that period. > > I have a feeling if someone kind soul could come up with a program of > possible routes and the timing of various windows that we would double > the number of boats currently booked.
O.K. I've already had a good search which shows.... The River Thames is closed, not just due to possible bad weather but also to several lock closures already on and staying closed till mid February. So it is Grand Union up and down. On the Grand Union. The crucial closure is Batchworth Lock, Lock 81 which has a stoppage starting on Monday 8th January till 19th January. So all participants from the north must be through this lock by the end of Sunday 7th January. It is not possible to ask BW to delay it since there are several other stoppages further north also starting on 8th January. The protest cruise is on Tuesday 16th January. If you need to get back up before Easter then you have to fit through the stoppages. You can not just sit in London unless you move in three sections you will have to stay till March as when one lock opens another closes :-( First up to Springwell Lock, Lock 83 ready for it to open on Jan 26th. Second leave Spruingwell on 27th you will get through Lady Capels lock, lock 74 before it closes on 29th. But will you get through Leighton Narrows Bridge 115a to 115b and Leighton Lock, lock 27, before they closes also on Jan 26th? If not you will have to wait till they both end on Feb 9th. In any case Wolverton Railway Bridge, bridge 70a is closed till Feb 16th from January 8th so you might as well take it a bit easier, but make sure you are past Crowroast locks on February 5th. (N.B. This one stoppage may not still exist.) Third. after Wolverton Railway Bridge opens on February 16th the route north is open through to Warwick, all the South Oxford, and all the north Oxford, Leicester Ashby etc. This information is based on BW printed stoppage list updated via Waterscape. Come and cruise with Reed Boats www.reedboats.co.uk
