PUMP FAILURE HITS K&A SUMMIT

摘要

Problems with pumps have meant that the locks either side of the Kennet & Avon Canal's summit level have been reduced to two days' operation per week pending repairs, The canal's short summit has always relied on pumping to keep it topped up. In working days this involved Crof ton steam pumping station (now restored), but today electric pumps either side of the summit do the job on a daily basis, However they rely on there being enough water to supply them from the Long Pound from Wootton Rivers to Devizes, which in turn requires the Devizes pumps to raise water past the 29-lock Caen Hill flight. When one of these failed and needed to be sent away for repair, the remaining pump was insufficient to keep up with demand, even after it had been lifted for clearance of debris.