BOATERS are being urged not to navigate the River Avon between Stratford and Tewkesbury unless absolutely necessary.
River levels on most reaches between the towns are returning to normal following recent heavy rains but with locks and moorings submerged for many weeks there may still be hidden hazards, warns the Avon Navigation Trust.
A spokesman said: “Trust engineers are currently carrying out a safety sweep of the whole 47 miles of the navigation in deep drafted tugs. Each lock site will be checked for safe operation and damage and depths checked for silting up.
“The pump out facilities at Evesham Lock and Pershore Riverside Youth Centre have been submerged by the flood and are inoperable. We are waiting for parts to re-build the machines.
“The advice from the trust currently is do not navigate unless absolutely necessary and if you do, proceed with extreme caution.”
Visit flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings for updates.
