Pump-out Stations Broken

[Teddy]

Do Forumites think that it acceptable to have 2 consecutive pump-out stations
out of service at the same time? Shiplake has no nozzle (broken sight glass) and Mapleduram (burnt out pump). In fact for a short time Abingdon was also out of service!

Some locks displayed a warning notice, and some didn't. I had a long chat this morning with Colin Hounslow (Team Leader) based at the Wallingford office (01491 828308). He said that he is chasing the contractors to source a part (apparently it hasn't occured to them that it should be stock item) for Shiplake and that the pump for Mapleduram would cost in the region of £2500 and would need special funding. Don't expect action any time soon.

Be warned that when travelling between Reading and Pangbourne and get "taken short" you might have a problem. Thames and Kennet charge £15 and Better Boating (Reading) £16.50.

I got the impression from Mr Hounslow that pump outs were fairly low priority and the necessary required dredging would happen when they obtained funding. Apparently there are 40 identified sites and more will be revealed when the currently high levels fall. Expect more grinding of props later.

If, like me, you are also unhappy, give him a call, or better still, see if you can speak to Andrew Graham (Area Mgr) on 01491 828308 or email to waterways_west@environment-agency.gov.uk

 

[jaws]

It's always been a pet annoyance of mine that pump-outs aren't:
a) cheap
b) provided at more locks.

Last time I was in Holland pump-outs were about 50p

Expect pollution levels on the river to increase as people "make room" in their full tanks.

Do Forumites think that it acceptable to have 2 consecutive pump-out stations
out of service at the same time? Shiplake has no nozzle (broken sight glass) and Mapleduram (burnt out pump). In fact for a short time Abingdon was also out of service!

Some locks displayed a warning notice, and some didn't. I had a long chat this morning with Colin Hounslow (Team Leader) based at the Wallingford office (01491 828308). He said that he is chasing the contractors to source a part (apparently it hasn't occured to them that it should be stock item) for Shiplake and that the pump for Mapleduram would cost in the region of £2500 and would need special funding. Don't expect action any time soon.

Be warned that when travelling between Reading and Pangbourne and get "taken short" you might have a problem. Thames and Kennet charge £15 and Better Boating (Reading) £16.50.

I got the impression from Mr Hounslow that pump outs were fairly low priority and the necessary required dredging would happen when they obtained funding. Apparently there are 40 identified sites and more will be revealed when the currently high levels fall. Expect more grinding of props later.

If, like me, you are also unhappy, give him a call, or better still, see if you can speak to Andrew Graham (Area Mgr) on 01491 828308 or email to waterways_west@environment-agency.gov.uk

 

[thamesS23]

we will be going a 2 week cruise upriver at the start of July, so that isnt great news. Can anyone list where the pump out stations (EA or marina), are after Mapleduram, as I can't remember and this is one aspect we have to plan when onboard for that length of time.

 

[sailorman]

Do Forumites think that it acceptable to have 2 consecutive pump-out stations
out of service at the same time? Shiplake has no nozzle (broken sight glass) and Mapleduram (burnt out pump). In fact for a short time Abingdon was also out of service!

Some locks displayed a warning notice, and some didn't. I had a long chat this morning with Colin Hounslow (Team Leader) based at the Wallingford office (01491 828308). He said that he is chasing the contractors to source a part (apparently it hasn't occured to them that it should be stock item) for Shiplake and that the pump for Mapleduram would cost in the region of £2500 and would need special funding. Don't expect action any time soon.

Be warned that when travelling between Reading and Pangbourne and get "taken short" you might have a problem. Thames and Kennet charge £15 and Better Boating (Reading) £16.50.

I got the impression from Mr Hounslow that pump outs were fairly low priority and the necessary required dredging would happen when they obtained funding. Apparently there are 40 identified sites and more will be revealed when the currently high levels fall. Expect more grinding of props later.

If, like me, you are also unhappy, give him a call, or better still, see if you can speak to Andrew Graham (Area Mgr) on 01491 828308 or email to waterways_west@environment-agency.gov.uk

Well what do you pay a licence fee for !!!!!!!!

 

[watson1959]

......is it really that much of a problem to pre-plan for?

Empty (tank and self! ) before setting off.....use pub/restaurant/lock/public facilities? Even if I was mooring in 'the wild' overnight for a few consecutive days, I would be shocked if my tank were in need of a second emptying. At T&K annual moorers have 5 free pumpouts included in the fees.....I probably use three a year and even that is due to over-zealous flushing by guests as opposed to 'excessive amounts of human deposits'

 

[Chris_d]

Sometimes I am glad we use a port-potti, bit of pain to cart it around but the hole in the ground is always open.

 

[Teddy]

we will be going a 2 week cruise upriver at the start of July, so that isnt great news. Can anyone list where the pump out stations (EA or marina), are after Mapleduram, as I can't remember and this is one aspect we have to plan when onboard for that length of time.

After Reading there is Benson Boats and Abingdon (below bridge), assuming the shoal has not reappeared this year.

The thing is this, what do we pay our fees for? If I had been told earlier I could have "dumped" earlier, at Boveney say.

Come on chaps, give the man a call and have a moan. Even the lockies I have spoken to say they are trouble getting the message across.

 

[kremmen]

Shiplake sorted earlier today.

 

[boatone]

I can assure you that the TMBA, ATYC and hire trade operators have made boaters views about pump-out facilities very clear to the EA and it was discussed at the TNUF meeting at Reading last week.
We were united in our position that pump-outs should be regarded as an essential facility both for the benefit of boaters and for the health of the waterway.

We discussed pump-outs here at some length quite recently: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?394437-Lets-talk-about-poo&p=4724347#post4724347

In my view there is little point in calling anyone "for a moan" as you will simply divert someone from getting on with their work and we are already "on the case". Much more likely that representations to your MP could have some effect but I doubt even that.

The TMBA has a Reporting Form where you can report all sorts of river issues including pump-outs out of service. Please USE IT so that we have detailed information available.
http://www.tmba.org.uk/infoform/

 

[Actionmat]

It's only a pump, nothing an old school engineer couldn't fix, but we have fitters nowadays so a stock of parts is essential.
We had an unusable head for a few days last summer while the parts were on their way - from France!

 

[Teddy]

I have to disagree with Boatone on this. "Moaning" can often produce results. If more people complained it would focus the minds of those responsible in fixing things.

The last time I moaned to the same office a couple of years ago was regarding the shoal upstream of Benson lock. It was apparent that they didn't realise how bad it was. Coincidentally or not, it was fixed shortly after. By the way, this afternoon I ran aground and ground my props in exactly the same position. I couldn't report it to the lock keeper because there wasn't one.

Every lockie I have spoken to regarding these types of problems, have always said that they need our support. In other words a phone call or letter.

 

[Alpha22]

Hey... on the Gt Ouse (an EA navigation) we have had EA pump outs broken and not attended to for over 7 years!!!

but on the flip side we can still get away with sea toilets!!!

 

[sailorman]

Hey... on the Gt Ouse (an EA navigation) we have had EA pump outs broken and not attended to for over 7 years!!!

but on the flip side we can still get away with sea toilets!!!

So you go to sea then

 

[Alpha22]

So you go to sea then

Yes... I do, but some don't.

 

[TrueBlue]

Last week at the start of a short visit to the ditchy region, I asked what was the cause of Mapledurham's failure and was told by the new resident - resident, that it was a user's fault. "left the pump running" (complete rubbish).
So I popped into LeeSan who have fitted all EA's punpouts in the past and know the vagaries of each installation.

The unit in question is a peristaltic pump (?sp) and cannot be blocked and has a relief valve if the unit is not used before the cycle ends. So the above story is a load of cahones. As with all equipment a tad on periodic maintenance does not go amiss and in this case I suspect the oil had not been topped up - otherwise the pumps run 'forever'.

The pump in question is in stock at LeeSan as are all the pipes, valves, sight glasses and whatever the thing at the end is called. LeeSan are delighted to supply these parts which are available next day. However, EA won't place an order or maintenance contract with them - preferring to have an universal electrical contractor (!) instead (The same applies to CaRT so they're no better...)

It infuriates me that public hygiene is placed at risk because of the inertia of government's (or Quango) large departments.

 

[apollo]

So we all get to play Pooh Turds....?

 

[Ramage]

So the locks will be renamed ****lake and Maple Dunny?

Really EA? It is the height of the season and you are risking environmental pollution by your inertia. Send a man in a van to LeeSan with a purchase order and get it sorted!

 

[sailorman]

So the locks will be renamed ****lake and Maple Dunny?

Really EA? It is the height of the season and you are risking environmental pollution by your inertia. Send a man in a van to LeeSan with a purchase order and get it sorted!

Who holds your licence £s & for what do get for what you pay them

 

[Ramage]

The EA get my licence money. In return I expect a reasonably clean, navigable river. Part of that is supplying working pump out stations so that folks that have holding tanks can get them emptied and are not tempted to dump them into the river.

 

[TrueBlue]

Further on this morning, I attempted to use Eynsham's (usually reliable) pump out.

Totally out of suck (not an euphemism). Put money (card) in Ker-ching, credit taken, then asthmatic noise emanating from the pipe, but only a dribble of contents removed.
Sources close to the lockie (he off duty) said "Oh, I thought it was fixed...."

Boaters nearby said that the next station upriver (Rushey) is also reported out of action.

This is worse than unacceptable. "heads" must roll - oh, Govt department / agency, then perhaps promotion for saving EA's money.....