The February ATYC Newsletter is below. You can also download a copy by clicking  here.

 

Calor Gas Shock.

Calor Gas have suddenly announced that as from 1 Feb they will no longer supply, exchange or refill either the 3.9 Kg (Propane) or the 4.5Kg (Butane ) cylinders. Some stockists still have a few of these cylinders for exchange/refill. Apparently, refunds on these cylinders cannot be obtained if the original agreement (F167) cannot be provided. Calor recommend using the next size up as a replacement but for most cruisers these bottles are too high. Flogas do supply a 4.5 Kg (yellow) Butane bottle which is similar in size to the Calor bottle. Another alternative would be to switch to Camping Gaz  - both of these options will require a regulator change.

No Visitors to Limehouse.

It would appear that Limehouse Marina are not accepting casual visitors for 2023. The reasons are unknown.

Admiralty Chart Delays

The withdrawal of Admiralty paper charts is to be delayed until at least 2030 to allow for the development of digital alternatives

Old Water for New

Thames Water will set up a new abstraction point between Teddington Weir and Hampton Court to take between 50 megalitres and 150 megalitres per day out of the river Thames. It is not clear what this would look like. This water will be transferred through a new pipeline to an existing tunnel that runs beneath London and then on to reservoirs in the Lee Valley to supply homes and businesses in the east of London and beyond. The water taken out of the river will be replaced by treated effluent which will pumped into the Thames further down the river towards Teddington Weir. This water will come from the Mogden Water Treatment Works in Isleworth, which is set to undergo a multi-million pound redevelopment and expansion. Getting the treated sewer water from Mogden to the Thames near the weir will involve building a new 15km pipeline. Thames Water says these schemes, which could be completed by 2030, are the fastest and cheapest option to increase the amount of water needed to meet future demands. Other proposals include efforts to cut down on leakage and the building of a new supersize reservoir south of Abingdon in Oxfordshire.

Sunbury and Osney Dry Docks Closed 

In case this notification had been missed, following the completion of a recent review regarding the dry docks at Sunbury Depot (Surrey) and Osney Depot (Oxfordshire), the Environment Agency has decided to close these facilities for the foreseeable future.

DIARY DATES

11 Feb 2023 – ATYC Spring Ball at the Runnymede Hotel, Egham. The organisers are looking forward to welcoming 140 guests. See you there!

27 – 29 May 2023 – ATYC Rally at Temple Island Meadows, Remenham near Henley on Thames.

 

Investment programme October 2022 to March 2023 - 3 February 2023
 
Listed below are the locks that will be closed during the 2022 to 2023 investment programme. The locks will be closed from the first date listed and re-open the day after the final date. * Change since previous issue
 
Completed works
 
Rushey Lock             Installation of lock chamber access steps.
Romney Lock            Lock open again. Wall work to be completed by 31 March 2023.
  
Other major works
We will also be carrying out other major works on the River Thames during 2022 to 2023. Please see below for details.
 
Shifford Lock - welfare hut roofing and tree management along access track
Eynsham - naturalised fish pass channel refurbishment and bridge replacement
Godstow weir - replacement of weir structure and fish pass
Sandford Lock - tree management over boat storage and picnic areas and welfare hut roofing
Abingdon Lock - installation of a new downstream canoe portage
Blakes Lock - installation of two canoe portages in lock cut and weir stream. 
Cookham Lock - installation of safety fencing and improving access steps to water point
Bray Mill - weir and eel pass refurbishment
Bray Lock - installation of safety fencing
Walton Bridge - refurbishment of decking.