Bray Lock - Overhanging trees

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Teddy

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Damaged my mast and broke mast light when approaching Bray Lock going downstream. Substantial branches are overhanging the upper layby about 20m from lock end. Lockie says the EA know about this, but have failed to take action.

In this situation of EA negligence, do I stand a chance of getting EA to pay for the damage?
 
It was even worse a few weeks ago! I was waiting for some time in the lock queue under these trees (my sedan boat is not too high) and cut back all the branches I could reach. I always carry secateurs and an electric hedge trimmer on board. Did the same at the head lay-by at Caversham too... and downstream of Temple where there are wooden bollards on the bank but you can’t get a rope over them because of the surrounding weeds.

I think it’s reasonable for the EA to make sure all waiting areas are fully maintained all year as part of the minimum standards we should expect..
 
Teddy said:
Damaged my mast and broke mast light when approaching Bray Lock going downstream. Substantial branches are overhanging the upper layby about 20m from lock end. Lockie says the EA know about this, but have failed to take action.

In this situation of EA negligence, do I stand a chance of getting EA to pay for the damage?
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If history is anything to go by, the answer will be no. The EA will state that you are responsible for your boat and should take action to avoid obstacles.

But you should complain and mention the overhanging trees in Boulters head lock cut.
 
Very interesting. I broke my mast light there as well in the summer but fixed it myself. Clearly should have tried the EA! Have also had problems in the approaches to Boulters both sides of the lock but had despaired at the EA doing anything to cut back or enforce Maidenhead Council in cutting back the trees.
 
Brightside said:
Very interesting. I broke my mast light there as well in the summer but fixed it myself. Clearly should have tried the EA! Have also had problems in the approaches to Boulters both sides of the lock but had despaired at the EA doing anything to cut back or enforce Maidenhead Council in cutting back the trees.
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Rising to the bait -

EA are not obliged to cut trees back (but may do so if the navigation is seriously affected). The 'rules' are open to a certain amount of interpretation.
EA also doesn't have any / enough power to force a riparian owner to cut back vegetation either. Get your self a pair of long handled shears (or similar). I do...
 
Surely if we pay the EA to use the navigation, and then they don't maintain it in some way and we damage our boats, they must pay, surely (as, surprisingly, above).
 
They're only obliged to maintain the middle third, which rules out trees and prop damage due to trolleys etc.
A lock cut is a different matter, glad to hear the EA coughed up if they were at fault.
The arch on my new boat was up and down like a tarts knickers to Oxford and back. Apart from Hurley where I forgot and walloped the anchor light in front of an appreciative audience:ambivalence:
 
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