Topic ID 5773
The story so far. Way back in the spring of 2010, some great big cracks, and eventually cavernous holes appeared in the tow path outside The Old Barge. Herts Highways, after much pestering, dug the towpath up and discovered that a utility company – possibly cabletel, had managed to damage an underground water pipe. This has been slowly leaking and causing erosion of the river wall. Herts highways filled the holes with aggregate and tarmaced over it. In November 2010 the cracks & holes reappeared. Highways did some further exploratory digging, and closed the towpath. After many, many phone calls, this is how the situation now stands. British Waterways own the land. Highways are responsible for the right of way. A utility company caused the damage. After leaving the Old Barge down by 2 fire exits for over 2 months, Highways have yet again patched the job up because no one will admit liability – again probably adding to the original problem. No one will commit funds to fixing the job properly and permanently, because they all believe the blame lies with one of the others. It will be a very expensive job. We believe that Highways have made the problem worse (Twice now) by filling the holes with aggregate; this is putting added pressure on the already crumbling river wall. We believe that Highways gave permission to the utility company to dig up the land. If you look at the river wall from the view on the bridge you will get a better idea of how big the problem is. We are now left with an unsafe river bank as well as a huge & dangerous eyesore. Whilst civil servants that we pay with our council tax talk round and round in circles. The problem has not been fixed and the towpath will cave in again, lets hope it’s not when one of our children is playing along it. Please register your displeasure. Fed up with the Tow path ‘issues’? Make your voice heard. Tony Simms @ British waterways – 07766 774 721 Nicholas Maddox, rights of way @ Herts Highways – 01992 555 243 Chrissy Jacques @ County Council – 01438 757 800 Tow path job reference no. 1593163