Cookham Lock public power not working

Just for clarity folks, the control system does NOT switch over automatically from lock keeper power to public power and vice versa. The duty keeper has to change it manually by using the Mark 1 index finger on a touch screen control in the lock office. There are three options, the third being 'off' - I'm sure Adam would enjoy the overtime. In the meantime, if you need passage through before 0900 or after 1600 (during March), call the number posted on the notice on the pedestals and Adam or another keeper will be called out to help you through.
 
Not quite sure you are right about that - I know it is activated by the lock keeper when he goes off duty but I think at Cookham it is switched from lock keeper to public by a switch in a lockable cabinet on the control pedestal. Originally I guess it would have been hand wind when on public but a system was added to give the out of hours power with the timers on the sluices so nobody has accidents by filling the lock too quickly. It is this which is not operating correctly apparently and not allowing Direct changeover from lock keeper power to hand wind. I spoke to Adam yesterday and he said he has tried turning power off and it does not sort the problem out...

Some of the trip boats have (or at least they used to) a key so they can open the cabinet and activate lock keeper power at any time so that they don't have to be slowed down by the timers.

That's as I understand it anyway - for Cookham lock. I used to spend a lot of time there but less so lately so there may be more recent modifications .
 
Last edited:
The big green pedestals like at Boulters, Romney, Old Windsor and downstream, do have a switch in the cabinets but not at Cookham. The two sets of controls on Cookham's pedestals are for public power and lock keeper power when either is activated by the control panel in the office.

The key you refer to is used by passenger steamer skippers to open a separate power box on the side of the lock office wherein is a power button that switches on lock keeper power for about 5 minutes only. Steamer keys are like hen's teeth, I've been trying to get one for 6 years.
 
That sounds right yes :)

I just remember Adam always locking one of the cabinets after finishing for the day - but I was also getting confused with the other pedestals you mention.
 
Last edited:
When going off duty, the lockkeeper does lock a cover over a set of controls, that have more buttons than the public panel that is left open.
The main control panel in the lock office is then used to switch over to public power.
 
At a meeting earlier this week with the Environment Agency I was assured that work to replace the electrohydraulic facility at Cookham is proceeding and that they hope to complete this within 2-3 months.
Please note that this is not a "quick fix" but a complete replacement of the control system to bring the lock up to the latest operational standards.


In the meantime it would appear that it is simply not possible to circumvent the fault which prevents half power working between 7am to 9am and 5pm to 10pm so the lock remains unpassable during those hours. Subject to weir keeping etc normal assisted passage should be avaiable during published duty hours, and hand winding should be available overnight between 2200 and 0700.
 
Last edited:
boatone said:
At a meeting earlier this week with the Environment Agency I was assured that work to replace the electrohydraulic facility at Cookham is proceeding and that they hope to complete this within 2-3 months.
Please note that this is not a "quick fix" but a complete replacement of the control system to bring the lock up to the latest operational standards.


In the meantime it would appear that it is simply not possible to circumvent the fault which prevents half power working between 7am to 9am and 5pm to 10pm so the lock remains unpassable during those hours. Subject to weir keeping etc normal assisted passage should be avaiable during published duty hours, and hand winding should be available overnight between 2200 and 0700.
Click to expand...

As i only ever seem to go through Cookham on the way to the tideway in the evenings, this is really bad news for me. I dont see why they cant leave it on full power until its fixed. So fed up with these non-achievers.
 
boatone said:
At a meeting earlier this week with the Environment Agency I was assured that work to replace the electrohydraulic facility at Cookham is proceeding and that they hope to complete this within 2-3 months.
Please note that this is not a "quick fix" but a complete replacement of the control system to bring the lock up to the latest operational standards.


In the meantime it would appear that it is simply not possible to circumvent the fault which prevents half power working between 7am to 9am and 5pm to 10pm so the lock remains unpassable during those hours. Subject to weir keeping etc normal assisted passage should be avaiable during published duty hours, and hand winding should be available overnight between 2200 and 0700.
Click to expand...

I think this is completely unacceptable, 2-3months! that means the end of July potentially.
That is the busiest time of year on the busiest part of the river, with some of the most popular parts of the river and its moorings either side. To effectively close completely at 5pm (will that change to 7pm? for summer) will cause all sorts of knock on effects either side of Cookham. Not to mention a lot of likely abuse the lockkeeper will receive when he knocks off and leaves a queue of boats stranded, with nowhere to go for the night or able to get home at the end of a weekend or holiday.

Its simply a lie to say they cannot circumvent the system, of course they can they just don't want to for whatever H&S reason someone has come up with.
Even then there other solutions, get a relief for the extended hours, pay the lockie overtime, ask for more volunteers. To just effectively close the river at one of its busiest points is madness.

Rant over :(
 
Chris_d said:
I think this is completely unacceptable, 2-3months! that means the end of July potentially.
That is the busiest time of year on the busiest part of the river, with some of the most popular parts of the river and its moorings either side. To effectively close completely at 5pm (will that change to 7pm? for summer) will cause all sorts of knock on effects either side of Cookham. Not to mention a lot of likely abuse the lockkeeper will receive when he knocks off and leaves a queue of boats stranded, with nowhere to go for the night or able to get home at the end of a weekend or holiday.

Its simply a lie to say they cannot circumvent the system, of course they can they just don't want to for whatever H&S reason someone has come up with.
Even then there other solutions, get a relief for the extended hours, pay the lockie overtime, ask for more volunteers. To just effectively close the river at one of its busiest points is madness.

Rant over :(
Click to expand...

Here Here. The temp solution is a good one, i would not be surprised if they couldnt find a volunteer even?
 
This whole issue is a farce and whoever at the EA has caused it should be taking a walk to the local job agency pronto...

As has been said by others, effectively closing Cookham Lock at 5pm will mean many of us have to return home from weekends away early, more so because it will inevitably lead to long queues at Cookham from around 4pm onwards I'd expect with everyone trying to get back before the lock closes.

What happens to our statutory right of navigation on the river? Can the EA just overrule that because they can't be bothered to fix / staff the lock during normal boating hours at the height of the season?

Seems to me we are due a partial refund for our licenses but oh wait, we don't actually pay to navigate the river do we, we get that for nothing and just pay to register as a river user and hope occasionally we can actually leave our moorings and go out on the river in the vague hope that the will be a mooring at our destination that hasn't been stolen by some unlicensed live-aboard.
 
apollo said:
As i only ever seem to go through Cookham on the way to the tideway in the evenings, this is really bad news for me. I dont see why they cant leave it on full power until its fixed. So fed up with these non-achievers.
Click to expand...

Leave it on full power and some "non-achiever" will zap up the sluices and sink a boat / cause damage.
Or deliberately run water through a lock as happened "somewhere" "some time ago".

It's easy to sit on the sidelines and come up with some half baked idea.....
 
TrueBlue said:
Leave it on full power and some "non-achiever" will zap up the sluices and sink a boat / cause damage.
Or deliberately run water through a lock as happened "somewhere" "some time ago".

It's easy to sit on the sidelines and come up with some half baked idea.....
Click to expand...

i knew someone would throw that up!

Sorry, dont accept there is no solution. Always a solution. Leave it on 24hour winding only, get a volunteer for fridays and saturdays.

Simply not acceptable to wait up to 3months at peak time of year.

I dont have the luxury of a notice period or a pension, and i have to work for a living, shame these people dont do the same.
 
DogsBody said:
This whole issue is a farce and whoever at the EA has caused it should be taking a walk to the local job agency pronto...

As has been said by others, effectively closing Cookham Lock at 5pm will mean many of us have to return home from weekends away early, more so because it will inevitably lead to long queues at Cookham from around 4pm onwards I'd expect with everyone trying to get back before the lock closes.

What happens to our statutory right of navigation on the river? Can the EA just overrule that because they can't be bothered to fix / staff the lock during normal boating hours at the height of the season?

Seems to me we are due a partial refund for our licenses but oh wait, we don't actually pay to navigate the river do we, we get that for nothing and just pay to register as a river user and hope occasionally we can actually leave our moorings and go out on the river in the vague hope that the will be a mooring at our destination that hasn't been stolen by some unlicensed live-aboard.
Click to expand...

That's pretty much how it is.
No matter how much EA try - and some / most of their staff do -
if there's no money to do the job
if there's all sorts of processes that have to be gone through - extra because it's a government body -
then there will be delays and not a lot 'we' can do to about it.


OTOH if somehow more of the registered users of the Rive actually got out and used their boats and made a fuss en masse - something might, just might happen.
 
It seems obvious to me - either hand wind the lock 24 hours or pay somebody to work all the hours except when hand winding available now.

I can't imagine the chaos which is going to ensue if the EA don't do one of the above.

If they don't, they are simply not fit for purpose.
 
ianc1200 said:
It seems obvious to me - either hand wind the lock 24 hours or pay somebody to work all the hours except when hand winding available now.

I can't imagine the chaos which is going to ensue if the EA don't do one of the above.

If they don't, they are simply not fit for purpose.
Click to expand...

It's a Black Box
Nobody knows exactly how it works they've all retired or dropped off this mortal coil- and sensibly, not willing to have a go in case nothing works at all, subsequently.
The hand winding pumps may pump oil, but solenoid valves to direct to where the oil goes are controlled by the black box - catch 22

I'd guess someone had a go that's why there's handwinding 22:00 to 07:00??

Anyway most boaters only boat during lockies hours (statistically).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

T
Notices to Mariners - Week 50
Replies
2
Views
854
tillergirl
T
W
Battery suicide
Replies
17
Views
643
Refueler
Refueler
T
Notices to Mariners - Week 01 of 2026(!)
Replies
9
Views
767
tillergirl
T
T
Notices to Mariners - Week 52
Replies
0
Views
456
tillergirl
T

Share this page

Top