Jaysay
Active Member
Anyone wishing to avail themselves of the slackening stream and opening of Iffley and Abingdon Locks may wish to note that a sunken boat has, apparently, blocked the navigation at Godstow Bridge. I do not know the details, but I assume that both arches are blocked. I understand that the EA hopes to get it all cleared by Easter, but the intermittent strong stream is likely to hinder matters. In the meantime, I guess we could bypass it all by using the Oxford Canal, boat size and licence permitting.
Will we ever be able to use the river again?
Update at 25 March. I visited the site on 25 March and can confirm that the entire fairway at Godstow Bridge is buoyed and cordoned off because of part of a sunken 45 foot narrowboat under the bridge arches. The wreck is not visible. Godstow Lockkeeper told me that although work is in hand to salvage the hulk, the operation is likely to be hampered by the need for various landowner permissions (Ancient Buildings, Thames Footpath etc etc) and, of course, the Strong Stream. Salvage before Easter seems highly unlikely. A small cruiser is also sunk on the weir safety ropes, with the pulpit just visible, but that appears not to be in the fairway. All in all it was rather bleak up there.
Final update at 30 March. I cruised the route today. It was still Red Boards at Osney but we passed under Osney Bridge OK and through onto the Oxford Canal. The Canal & River Trust has waived the licence fee for boats bypassing Godstow - the Osney Lockkeeper keeps a log accordingly. The Oxford Canal was pretty awful - I had forgotten how unpleasant it was: shabby boats and urban sprawl. You will need a BW key to operate the lift bridges and (of course) a windlass for the locks. It took 2 hours from Isis Lock to Dukes Lock. More derelict live-aboards in Dukes Cut and all rather unpleasant. It was lovely to get back on the river again, though the icy wind and hefty stream were brisk.
Will we ever be able to use the river again?
Update at 25 March. I visited the site on 25 March and can confirm that the entire fairway at Godstow Bridge is buoyed and cordoned off because of part of a sunken 45 foot narrowboat under the bridge arches. The wreck is not visible. Godstow Lockkeeper told me that although work is in hand to salvage the hulk, the operation is likely to be hampered by the need for various landowner permissions (Ancient Buildings, Thames Footpath etc etc) and, of course, the Strong Stream. Salvage before Easter seems highly unlikely. A small cruiser is also sunk on the weir safety ropes, with the pulpit just visible, but that appears not to be in the fairway. All in all it was rather bleak up there.
Final update at 30 March. I cruised the route today. It was still Red Boards at Osney but we passed under Osney Bridge OK and through onto the Oxford Canal. The Canal & River Trust has waived the licence fee for boats bypassing Godstow - the Osney Lockkeeper keeps a log accordingly. The Oxford Canal was pretty awful - I had forgotten how unpleasant it was: shabby boats and urban sprawl. You will need a BW key to operate the lift bridges and (of course) a windlass for the locks. It took 2 hours from Isis Lock to Dukes Lock. More derelict live-aboards in Dukes Cut and all rather unpleasant. It was lovely to get back on the river again, though the icy wind and hefty stream were brisk.
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