The three motorized hoppers have been moored at Gloucester for some time, during which time they were overhauled in readiness to begin work this year. Time to move upriver to Ripple, unfortunately Upper Lode Lock at Tewkesbury remains closed to river traffic whilst maintenance work continues.
A decision was made recently by the hopper company to move upriver from Gloucester to Ripple and to bypass Upper Lode Lock by going over the weir on a large spring tide. But trouble lay ahead! Across the Severn above the weir is the safety wire and floating barriers which stop craft in trouble from being taken down stream to the weir. Allegedly British Waterways are not wishing to remove this barrier to enable the hoppers to continue their journey to Ripple.
The three motor hoppers trapped above the weir at Upper Lode
