Lets get a few things straight

[boatone]

1. The EA have NOT closed the river. There IS a Public Right of Navigation but that doesn't mean that the river will always be fit to navigate.
2. They have imposed some restrictions in line with government guidelines. The latest guidelines, whilst generally permitting more freedom of movement still put the onus on local navigation authorities to consider their own circumstances and decide what they should permit.
3. Some local issues are preventing passage until these issues are resolved - sunken boat, fallen trees, damaged lock gates etc This happens from time to time in "normal" times.
(See items 4 and 5 for reasons which may delay this work.)
4. The EA have a clear duty of care to river users but also to their staff and any contractors they may appoint to carry out work on their behalf who are required to follow the EAs own guidelines.
5. Government guidelines are still absolutely stressing the importance of social distancing. This presents some very significant challenges for the Thames, particularly with regard to interaction between their own staff, with members of the public and contractors. For instance, normal procedure requires two crew on a patrol craft , repair crews may well be unable to maintain safe distances.
6. Self Service at locks raises particular concerns regarding safe practice which now requires safety instructions which need to be prepared and circulated. Should we wear gloves, wipe down all surfaces we touch.

I fully understand the desire to get back out on the river but people really are dying out there and every one of us has a part to play in minimising risk. The situation is changing rapidly and I think it likely that, in the light of the barrage of complaints they are receiving, the EA will reconsider their stance and issue a further statement shortly.

I see a few of you are yet again resorting to criticising the various groups that endeavour to represent our interests. I am only one of many who work tirelessly to try and make the river a better place to enjoy our leisure activity.
Just because we are silent doesn't mean we are inactive and I am aware of many efforts to persuade the EA to permit greater freedom of navigation.
it would be good if we could enjoy more confidence and support from those we try to serve. This is not some sort of bizarre computer game. You cannot simply attack the authorities at every opportunity and expect them to engage enthusiastically and cooperatively. Before you slag anyone off please stop and consider whether you are part of the solution or part of the problem !

Can we please try and get this forum back to what it used to be - a great place for us to exchange views and knowledge in support of our enjoyment of boating on the river ?

 

[Big John]

I fully agree with your statement and to emphasise your comment "but people really are dying out there and every one of us has a part to play in minimising risk." We lost our daughter 6 weeks ago to the Covid-19. I am not say this for sympathy but to point out no matter how careful you think you are with hygiene etc. any one can get this virus.

It is very real and every one should observe the guidance being given by the Government and the EA. If we have to wait a few more weeks or months before getting back on the river so what. Better to look forward to many years on the river or one selfish week and never again.

 

[prof pat pending]

Sorry for your loss John.
I can only assume that those protesting and complaining have had no real exposure to this, I hope they never do, but if it happens, I’m pretty certain they’ll change their tune very quickly indeed.

 

[Brightside]

Big John, first sincere condolences and sadness for your loss.

It has deeply disappointed me the number of people not taking this terrible virus seriously and not following guidance.

Some, sadly just do not get social distancing, whether through selfishness or ignorance.

Heard a lady only today walking her dog with her husband suggest someone who moved to social distance must be afraid of their dog! Then she walked too close by me and swmbo!

Unfortunately, I know seven people who have had this indiscriminate virus and six describe it as the worse experience of their lives - the seventh, with no health issues, fit, healthy and not overweight, sadly did not make it! They were in their forties!

Don't take chances! The risk is your life and the lives of others!

We can get through this together by being sensible and taking the long view.

Take care everyone and happy boating when it is safe to be back on the water.

 

[Job Done]

Let me start off by saying that I myself was hospitalised early on with the virus, tested positive and spent a nightmare couple of days in hospital without the need thank God for a ventilator. I have now been home several weeks but still carry a bit of breathlessness and the exhaustion so many seem to have. I also have had a n extended family member who was not as lucky as I who passed away. In no circumstances, therefore, do I underestimate the devastating effects of the virus.

However we do need to get a sense of perspective here and, whilst I agree that no one should be endangering others by failing to conform to social distancing and use of locks for non essential boating should rightly be ruled out I still see no reason whatsoever why I can’t take my small boat out and poodle up and down the river local to where it’s is moored.

The argument that no one is around to help in case something goes wrong is a nonsense because, frankly the EA are never to be seen anyway and, in any event, far greater risk of incident/ accident is present for canoeists/ rowers/ kayaks/ paddle boards all of who seem to be using the river with no problem or criticism.

 

[AP3]

Let me start off by saying that I myself was hospitalised early on with the virus, tested positive and spent a nightmare couple of days in hospital without the need thank God for a ventilator. I have now been home several weeks but still carry a bit of breathlessness and the exhaustion so many seem to have. I also have had a n extended family member who was not as lucky as I who passed away. In no circumstances, therefore, do I underestimate the devastating effects of the virus.

However we do need to get a sense of perspective here and, whilst I agree that no one should be endangering others by failing to conform to social distancing and use of locks for non essential boating should rightly be ruled out I still see no reason whatsoever why I can’t take my small boat out and poodle up and down the river local to where it’s is moored.

The argument that no one is around to help in case something goes wrong is a nonsense because, frankly the EA are never to be seen anyway and, in any event, far greater risk of incident/ accident is present for canoeists/ rowers/ kayaks/ paddle boards all of who seem to be using the river with no problem or criticism.

I'm glad that you made it to the other side of this horrid disease. My sister is a hospital doctor, and I know how many are dying. In terms of the locks however, I'm not sure you're right.

I walked down to Marlow lock today to see if the EA had restored power (I was hoping that they had). They hadn't. The upstream gate was wide open, and the lock was full. People are still using the river, but they're operating the locks manually, and not bothering to close/empty them. Touching the handles to open/close the sluices and gates, and turning the wheel. Possibly coughing the spluttering on everything due to the additional effort required. Obviously this isn't great for viral transmission risk, or the state of the locks.

Anybody that launches will either be operating the locks manually, or just pootling around on their home stretch between locks, increasing the risk of contact, and possibly accidents.

IMHO the lockies should be out operating the locks, because it's the safest way for those that are on the river to travel, and little to no risk for the lockie.

 

[Outinthedinghy]

I hope someone is keeping an eye on the police box at Marlow. It was broken open a year or two ago I had to make sure the keeper put it in his book and they fixed it.

It wouldn't surprise me if it has been done again.

Full lock keeper power is a bit dodgy on Marlow. Maybe they can switch the box off from inside the office but I'm not sure about that.

With no police about and public power on in normal situations it seems to me these things are a potential hazard and should be taken out of the circuit.

Bell Weir and Romney were nice and easy to get into without doing much but I think/hope they have been dealt with now as the controls were recently replaced.
Filling Romney with all four sluices up without a timer doesn't half drop the lock cut down a bit !!

Bell Weir less so as there is no lock cut.

Marlow though.. that's a dodgy one to fill with no timer. There is a reason they slow that one down.

 

[Outinthedinghy]

On Marlow there is another side to it which is that the resident of the lock house may not wish to have random members of public walking past so could have chosen to leave top gates open. The bottom gates are an access for residents of the island but the top gates are not needed for that and could well invite randoms.

If I lived there beside the lock I would definitely try to leave top gates open.

A little chain and a notice like at Hambleden on the top gates is one thing but open gates stops the problem completely.