We are currently Locked in at Hillmorton Top Lock, writes Sue.
Which we understand, and agree with the decision to do so for conserving water on our canals at this time.
We take it to understand that the local hire boat company Grand Union Carriers were given permission to move boats down to the bottom lock so they may carry on the booking they had coming up. And rightly so.
Also the Wharf that has work booked in can continue as normal.
To allow that work to continue it takes a huge amount of water but we all want to support business on the canals. So accept the reasons for using the water.
However in the last week we finally had some rainfall and noticed our section has risen by about three inches and thought maybe the locking won't be so long if this continues.
However, today we have been told and witnessed that the locks have been opened for Napton Boats to go back to base although they had another canal section to use instead of ours.
Boaters asked can they use the canal whilst Napton boats were using the same water to leave the section, and were declined by CRT because in their words "We were not a necessary reason to move."
Despite the fact that our boat is a trading boat so in effect a Business like Napton Hire.
We have since noted that Tooley's dry dock on South side has been closed in either side and that boats cannot enter for work. But the dock at Hillmorton is being allowed to open locks to carry on working.
Why are we all being treated differently when we all want support at this difficult time?