At the West Midlands user group meetings in the last week, BW presented their plans to keep the BCN open this summer.

One of the usual water supplies, Chasewater reservoir (seen below at the beginning of the emptying process in Feburary 2010), is now drained for maintenance and will not be available for this summer and for some time afterward. It will not be fully filled again before 2012.

Water usage is critical in the peak period of boat movements and in the event of wastage though leakage or vandalism. Lock opening times will be limited. BW are also preparing additional sources of water for peak periods.

The message is still, ‘open as usual’.

Click here to read BW’s briefing paper from the meetings.