oldgit
Well-known member
Work in progress on EA efforts to attract more boaters to the Medway around Allington Lock.
EA staff really keen to encourage folk to visit the area.
On a visit yesterday despite the weather the little cafe was doing a roaring trade with walkers and cyclists and chat with the lock staff gave the impression they are really keen to get boaters of all flavours using the lock and its facilities.
The whole area has been ungraded and with hard secure parking for anybody using the slip to launch kayaks, inflatables or small craft in general.
Decent shower /toilets/waste disposal and with working pump out and freshwater tap..
Lock cut waiting area is being vastly improved, regards ease and safety of getting ashore and now only awaiting timber fendering.
The area adajcent to lock chamber is now available for hire complete with two log cabins (heated) a BBQ section and a covered area for when it rains.
Camping pitches for the brave.
We liked the little Pizza oven.............................. a nice little after thought.
Senior member of the EA lock staff is even a boat owner and attends river user meetings.
Real chance of some money being found for a landing stage below the lock.................... Yes Please.
Also discussed was the possibility of a weekend lock pass at Allington . most local folks will not want just to go up over night and prefer to make a weekend of it, daftly it is then cheaper to buy a week pass than two single nights. ???.
Several folks do baulk at the cost.
It was rumoured that a weekend pass on the Medway would not be welcomed by an adjacent navigation, insisting that the same rates must apply to both navigations.
EA are attempting to fill some vacancies as well.
The real icing on the cake would be for Peel Ports to send up a boat during the winter months to round up the usual crop of old tyres, cut logs, old 20 litre oil drums along with the odd 3 piece suite.
EA staff really keen to encourage folk to visit the area.
On a visit yesterday despite the weather the little cafe was doing a roaring trade with walkers and cyclists and chat with the lock staff gave the impression they are really keen to get boaters of all flavours using the lock and its facilities.
The whole area has been ungraded and with hard secure parking for anybody using the slip to launch kayaks, inflatables or small craft in general.
Decent shower /toilets/waste disposal and with working pump out and freshwater tap..
Lock cut waiting area is being vastly improved, regards ease and safety of getting ashore and now only awaiting timber fendering.
The area adajcent to lock chamber is now available for hire complete with two log cabins (heated) a BBQ section and a covered area for when it rains.
Camping pitches for the brave.
We liked the little Pizza oven.............................. a nice little after thought.
Senior member of the EA lock staff is even a boat owner and attends river user meetings.
Real chance of some money being found for a landing stage below the lock.................... Yes Please.
Also discussed was the possibility of a weekend lock pass at Allington . most local folks will not want just to go up over night and prefer to make a weekend of it, daftly it is then cheaper to buy a week pass than two single nights. ???.
Several folks do baulk at the cost.
It was rumoured that a weekend pass on the Medway would not be welcomed by an adjacent navigation, insisting that the same rates must apply to both navigations.
EA are attempting to fill some vacancies as well.
The real icing on the cake would be for Peel Ports to send up a boat during the winter months to round up the usual crop of old tyres, cut logs, old 20 litre oil drums along with the odd 3 piece suite.
Last edited:
