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Boaters stranded after lock accidentally left open




The mistake affected a 1km stretch of the Kennet and Avon Canal near Kintbury

BRITISH Waterways have reminded boaters to follow every procedure when using locks after water was accidentally drained from the canal this weekend.

The water drained from a 1km stretch between Dreweat's Lock and Copse Lock near Kintbury after a paddle was left open.

British Waterways, which maintains and cares for the Kennet and Avon Canal, expect the problem to be resolved by this evening (Sunday).

Spokeswoman for British Waterways, Gill Owen said: “We were alerted to the problem on Saturday and our engineer and water controller went to the site to see if there was any damage. We believe a paddle was left open. We don't think this was a malicious act but simply a mistake.

“We're hoping that by this evening the levels should be back to normal.

“We remind boaters using the locks to follow all the necessary steps so water does not drain out of the locks.

“We thank boaters for their patience while we wait for water levels to return to normal.”

A number of members of the public reported the incident to British Waterways.

West Berkshire resident, Tim Higgs said: "While walking from Newbury to Hungerford we were most surprised to find a section of the canal had no water. The section at Kintbury between locks 79 and 80, by bridge 71 has somehow lost all its water.

"We saw small fish stranded in muddy puddles left behind as the water level receded. And the muddy base of the canal was still very fresh and oozy.

"Other people surprised by the event were two canoeists who had to carry their canoe along the pathway, and further up the canal a long boat was going to have the tricky manoeuvre of turning the boat around."



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