British Waterways wasted £1.75m on narrow lock bollards backed by suspect risk assessment THOSE narrow lock bollards, which British Waterways' Simon Salem, Marketing & Customer Service Director admits cost £1.75 millions were backed by suspect Risk Assessment.
It was at the Inland Waterways Association National Festival, Simon admitted that British Waterways had 'got it wrong' over the installation of lockside bollards on narrow locks. Photo: Graham Phillips Not now to be useddangerous! It was a Risk Assessment taken by British Waterways Head of Health & Safety, A V Stammers on the 28th February, of which we have had sight, that it was stated 'Install appropriately located bollards where not already provided' to prevent the hazards of gate hang-ups, boat movement, vessel damage or injury. Yet the same Risk Assessment stated that hang-up on the lock chamber wall, which is the greatest hazard for inexperienced boaters instructed to use ropes on bollards, was rated a low level risk. High level is the most severe risk calculated, with low level the lowest. Poured scorn Every columnist in narrowboatworld and countless other correspondents poured scorn on the installation of those bollards, pointing out their danger with inexperienced boaters tying to them and risking being hung-up. Others pointed out that with the lack of grass mowing, they would soon become an unseen tripping hazard. But most of all related that they were absolutely pointless in a narrow lock, with a rope down at such an angle quite unable to stop movement of boats in deep narrow locks, yet which was another of the reasons for installing them. It is our columnist David Hymers, who today also reveals that there was no consultation whatsoever about their installation, it being a decision taken by British Waterways directors alone. Consultation by the users groups, experienced in boating, would soon have pointed out the dangers, and so saved yet more money being needlessly thrown away by British Waterways. Now there will be the cost of removing them.
