Early December saw the start of a BCS project to rebuild the steps at bridge 98. CRT West Midlands approached BCS at the end of October asking if we could help. The steps are on a popular Braunston walking route and had already been closed for a number of months. After an initial survey that found most of the wood was rotted the BCS committee decided to take the job on. Preparations began in November with a design that was subsequently approved by CRT. This was followed by the procurement and preparation of materials.
With a four day window of opportunity work commenced at the beginning of December. Work boat ‘Skippy’ was needed once again to facilitate the transport of men, materials and equipment to the remote site. The only other access being a rough track passing Wolfhampcote church.
With daylight hours being short, time on site was limited but after four visits significant progress had been made.
BCS were hoping to complete the project before Christmas with three additional visits. This plan was thwarted by the canal freezing over. ‘Skippy’, as useful as she is, could not navigate safely due to her square bow even against relatively thin ice. The BCS crew resolved to return in the New Year to complete the project.