Criticism of BW may frequently be justified. But, credit where credit is due.
I was very favourably impressed by this notice. It gave comprehensive information, was promptly posted, had a polite tone, and treated the customer as an intelligent person. Good for Mr Harvey! Adrian (PS This is your opportunity to tell me that Mr H actually got it all wrong, I guess) >This statement was recieved from Tony Harvey BW General Manager West >Midlands this morning: > >Stourbridge Canal breach update >Media statement Friday 19 September 2008 > >British Waterways Engineers have now completed a full investigation >of the Stourbridge breach site. Early indications suggest that the >surges in water levels caused by the River Stour flooding in the area >of the Stourbridge Town Arm terminus, and due to the extreme weather >conditions experienced up to and over the weekend of 6-7 September >2008, resulted in the breach taking place. > >Plans are coming together for a proposal to re-instate the canal at >the earliest opportunity. Whilst the construction aspects of this >have been identified and are relatively straightforward, access and >site dynamics are still being assessed, therefore the full costs of >re-instatement are not yet available. Until we have clear costs it >is not possible to advise when the work might be undertaken. > >The lock flight above Wordsley Junction is fully reinstated giving >navigational options to all in the Stourbridge Town Arm, however, the >navigation between Wordsley Junction and Stourton locks remains >closed. > >South of the breach, a dam is now in place close to Middle Bridge. >Re-watering this section will be through extraction from the River >Stour, for which the necessary licence has already been obtained from >the Environment Agency. This will also bring back into commission >Black Country Narrowboats and the one cruising craft grounded south >of the breach. Re-watering will start on Monday 22 September and is >hoped to be completed during that week. > >Assessment is still being undertaken into the integrity of the >embankment and condition of the towpath to the north of the breach >(south of Wordsley Junction). If, everything is identified as being >in an acceptable condition, a dam will be installed just north of the >breach itself. > >This section will then be re-watered and will allow the only >remaining craft isolated by the breach to float. This work, if >feasible, could take 3-4 weeks, although every effort will be made to >do this earlier if possible. > >A number of incidents of anti-social behaviour in the area have taken >place, especially towards boats that have been left stranded by the >breach. British Waterways is in consultation with the local police >regarding this unacceptable behaviour, to ensure that all reasonable >measures are taken to minimise the risk to person or property. > >British Waterways would like offer a note of thanks to its customers >for their continued patience and co-operation, during this >challenging time. . Adrian Stott 07956-299966
