On Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:02:43 +0100, Trevor Sheppard
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Well, the 'Waterways World' guide book said "There's a real sense f
>achievement to bee gained by cruising the length of this arm.
<long snip of navigation troubles>
In my experience, BW effectively treats this branch as "remainder". I
once asked (ex)director Mark Bensted whether, as this is a broad
waterway, I would be able to get my barge to the terminus. He refused
to answer, or even to make any comment about the navigability of the
waterway.
Apart from that, the branch is admittedly rather dull, with not much
of interest to be found at the terminus ("Come friendly bombs ...").
Not surprising few boats use it. And the fewer the boats, the less BW
feels like spending maintenance money on the thing.
However, there is a long-standing plan to construct a waterway from
the branch to the Thames near Eaton. This would be very useful, and
would increase traffic on the branch drastically. Unfortunately, one
of the two possible routes goes down the River Colne, which would mean
a junction quite near the start of the branch at Cowley Peachey.
However, BW was (is?) much more in favour of a route starting near the
terminus (involving a tunnel). The same Mr Bensted told me he had in
hand some interesting pre-feasibility studies of the project.
No, I've never tried to get my barge along it. I do occasionally
glance at it from the M25, though.
Adrian
Adrian Stott
Tel. UK (0)7956-299966
