Picking Locks

Today I had two tasks: to check on the new NKS/Radar lock at Rammey Marsh, and to lead a patrol from Ponders End Lock to Tottenham Locks.

The NKS/Radar Lock at Rammey Marsh.

This is the lock, DS and I fitted last month, and it has seen a little bit of duty since, with at least one user reporting: "...we have been using the gate for the past few weeks....I can’t thank you enough!"

It's still in good condition and working well. Even the signage is still in place.

I had a small run-in with a boater with a large pile of items on the towpath. I'd found this pile and then had a towpath user complain about the 'eyesore'. So I had taken a photo and sent in a report when the owner appeared from Rammey Marsh. Unfortunately, when I said what I'd done, he gave me a tirade of unpleasant and obscene abuse. I walked away, I don't need to engage with that.

I grabbed a quick lunch at the Narrowboat Cafe and zoomed South to Ponders End Locks to find GU & KD, two new towpath ranger volunteers waiting for me there.

I gave my two minute H&S talk, and welcomed them to the Trust. Then I got out some gloves and a bin bag and loaned GU my hi-vis in lieu of a uniform. And we set off towards Tottenham.

GU & KD litter picking.

On a Sunday this stretch of the River Lea towpath is heavily used by leisure cyclists; individuals, families and cycling groups are all out and most of them cycle very sensibly - clad in hi-vis, with helmets and taking the path at a very reasonable pace.

Leisure cyclists on the River Lea towpath.

Just above the North Circular I was pointing out the areas where some experimental grouting was being used to fill holes in the river bank. These holes can be very deep and treacherous for boaters mooring there so the bank had been fenced off while the holes were filled with expanding chemical foam grouting and given a few feet of topsoil. These areas need to be left to see if the experimental filling does the proper job.

Unfortunately, the unfilled bank continues to deteriorate where water penetrates the concrete and erodes the bank behind, and a new hole had just opened up. I took this photo  to email to enquiries.london@canalrivertrust.org.uk

A new hole next to the filled holes.

Below the North Circular the towpath was extremely narrowed by buddleia. This is getting to be hazardous, so I took photos to email to my manager and pass on to whoever organises for this to be cut back.

Buddleia butting in!

We continued picking up litter until we reached Stonebridge lock, where we dumped the rubbish and had a very welcome cup of tea (thank you KD!) Then we strolled the last few yards to Tottenham Locks and went our separate ways home.

4 hours.