BAD NEWS FOR BOATERS, as the Cam and Great Ouse are now cut off from rest of the network.
With Salters Lode Lock closed, Kelvin Alexander-Duggan reports.
The gate is currently stuck in a closed position with the Middle Level Commissioners Mechanical & Electrical team requiring the additional expertise of specialist contractors to fully diagnose and then address the issue.
Passage not possible
With the gate so stuck, navigation passage is not possible. The issue has been discovered to be with the electrical control panel. (Image by Middle Level Commissioners.)
Kelvin tells this means the Cam and Great Ouse are cut off from the rest of the Network. The Northampton Arm is also in a poor state after it was allowed to dry out in some of the pounds last year including pound 15.
Now there is no passage through Salters Lode Lock between Well Creek and,the Great Ouse tidal river crossing until further notice.
Not successful
The specialist contractor who installed the panel originally, has worked hard over the last two weeks to diagnose the problem and fix it. But despite the best efforts, an interim fix to get the gate working, has so far not been successful.
It would seem a new control panel is required, but with it being bespoke, the likelihood is that navigation will not be possible for an extended period.
It is not safe or practical to attempt to operate the gate manually and we cannot risk the gate becoming stuck in an open position as this could result in a major tidal flood risk emergency as land in the area is below the level of the lock and river.
Absolutely gutted
Paul Burrows, Chief Executive of the Middle Level Commissioners, relates:
"We are absolutely gutted about this and are very sorry to our valued boating community and those that travel through our system for the disruption and inconvenience.
"Please be reassured that we will do all we can to get the gate working as soon as possible."