Gary Smith (CMIOSH)

Health & Safety Advisor

Canal & River Trust

Introduction and Background

Appendix 1 Methodology for allowing canoe (& other

unpowered boats) to use tunnels

The criteria below were developed to allow local

waterways to decide if tunnels in their area could support

canoe use. Whilst the criteria set the initial standard local

conditions will also influence decisions.

Tunnels up to 400metres in length - Open to canoe use

providing:

• There are good sight lines through the tunnel

• Paddlers follow the criteria set out in CRT code for un-

powered craft in tunnels (Signed on site)

Tunnels between 400 & 650metres open where:

• There are good sight lines through the tunnel and/or

• Single way working is in place.

All other tunnels

• Only to be considered for canoe use during managed

events.

Key:

Open

Open – with conditions

Closed

Bloomfield Road Mooring:

Towpath locked 24/7

Lisson Grove Mooring:

Towpath is open during the

following times only

Mon-Fri: 07.30 – 18.00 (Summer)

07.30 – Dusk (Winter)

Sat-Sun: 09.00 – 18.00 (Summer)

09.00 – Dusk (Winter)

Restricted entry

Restricted entry

Bloomfield Road Diversion:

400 meters

Tunnel Diversion:

265 meters

Lisson Grove Diversion:

605 meters

Against allowing unpowered craft:

• Unpowered craft are generally low in water and hard to see

• Users of unpowered craft may not recognise limited passing width in tunnel

• Concerns that is would attract tunnel use by inflatables

• Concerns unpowered craft users won’t use lights, making them hard to see

In favour of allowing unpowered craft:

• Tunnel meets CRT standard – Clear lines of sight and 248m in length

• Low number of reported incidents

• To open up the canal network to more users

• To extend the navigable sections of canal for canoe clubs

• The high freeboard at the east tunnel entrance makes canoe launching and

recovery hard.

• Current diversion route is very long and crosses busy roads with central islands

11 Near Misses involving unpowered craft

• Including trip boat seeing unpowered craft in tunnel (with and without lights)

• Boat operator hearing whistles whilst in tunnel, and then saw canoe

• Unpowered craft seen going into and out of tunnel

4 Near Misses involving powered craft

• Trip boat and wide beam boat near collision

• Commercial boat seen going through tunnel with no lights

• Passengers / Crew on trip boat noticing unlit (powered) boat in the tunnel

1 Incident

• Collision between two powered boats in tunnel. 1 had no light on, the other boat

presumed it was going the other way

To summarise the near miss and incidents, plus user feedback:

• One-way working is not being obeyed by all powered boats

• Unpowered craft are already using the tunnel (potentially due to the long

diversion route)

• Boat traffic is increasing, including use of wide beam boats, and a number of trip

boats in London which formal one way working will help manage.

• Both powered & unpowered boats currently use the tunnel without lights

• Current signage is located in the wrong places, and needs updating

• No signage to educate first time users on the safest approach route to achieve

good visibility

CRT would like to consult with users on a proposal to open up the Maida Hill tunnel

to allow unpowered craft.

To facilitate this, the following controls will be considered:

• Initial trial period

• Improve tunnel signage generally.

• Specific tunnel signage for unpowered craft (e.g. high powered forward facing

white light, life preserver, whistle, reflective clothing/equipment etc)

• Improved one way working controls

• Tunnel wardens (to monitor and advise local users)

• Local unpowered groups/businesses to sign up to agreed control measures e.g.:

• Travel through in pairs as a minimum

• Educate users of the specific risks relating to commercial boats, such as

reduced visibility and handling

• Local commercial operators to sign up to agreed control measures e.g.:

• one crew member to be positioned at the front of the boat when

approaching the tunnel

• single handed operators to stop on the landing stage before looking for

oncoming traffic

• Educate all potential users locally of the change/requirements

Formal consultation on proposal

Consultation review panel to be created

Feedback results of consultation and review

Implement agreed recommendations as appropriate