BOATERS ARE TELLING the Canal & River Trust of bad experiences on the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on the Llangollen Canal.
One, David Bramley, has claimed the unpredictability of individuals or groups of people canoeing can be extremely dangerous to those travelling via narrowboat over the aqueduct, Janet Friend reports.
Avoid canoes
He told he had a boat right up behind him 'pushing' his boat while trying to avoid canoes which were darting from side to side, in and out of view and stopping to take photographs.
"I'm concerned that a less attentive or inexperienced skipper might cause an incident in the future."
However, following his recent journey to the aqueduct, David admitted the stop-start of canoes, often for paddlers to capture the scenery and take photos, can be risky, he adding:
"It's much easier for them to brake than me on a 17 tons narrowboat."
Someone in charge
He is suggesting to the trust that someone should be in charge toward the rear of the canoes so that skippers can be warned of sudden stops and at the end of their paddle. Instead a congregation of boats caused further disruption to David who struggled to secure his boat before passing through.
A spokesperson for the trust told—As an initial step, we are in the process of installing new signage at the aqueduct to clearly indicate that powered craft have priority and to alert paddlers to the specific risks associated with navigating this structure.