BW has been busy at Fradley Junction - good in one sense but not in another. Yesterday, a ‘temporary’ water point was erected about 15m away from the proper one and the proper one was surrounded by a rather impressive wooden fence.
 020410_2r.jpg "BW Water Point (Fradley Junction)")
 020410_1r.jpg "BW Water Point (Fradley Junction)")
I am very pleased that BW has at long last recognised the needs of the boater, insofar as BW has at long last recognised the importance of the water supply at this location – thank you BW. I have my doubts however about the efficacy of this wooden fence. In reality this fence is easier (for those that feel the need) to climb over than the orange fence that was there beforehand. This temporary water point is so close to the old one that it is only a matter of time before boaters needing water will moor alongside this fence, even if they are just waiting for another boater to vacate this temporary water point. Some will in all probability climb over the fence. Therefore, the presence of the fence is virtually superfluous when considering the mitigation of the risk of injury presented to the boater (and other users of the canal) by the collapsing wall at this location. Me thinks that somebody at BW has not carried out a robust risk assessment (or does not know how to do so) or the persons that participated in this risk assessment are short of common sense (you do not need to be an ‘expert’ to figure this one out!).
Could it be that BW’s decision to erect this wooden fence was driven more by a desire and/or pressure from others to get rid of the ‘unsightly’ orange fence?
How long will it be before somebody else is injured?
Fix the bloody wall!