RIBBLE LINK - NEWS ON MAXIMUM DRAFT

Background
Although BW Wigan are taking bookings for next year they have told applicants that any boats with a draft in excess of 24"  may be excluded. 
This is frustrating as although the skippers guide indicates that 24" is the maximum, many boats with drafts up to 36" have successfully navigated the link in the past. 
There has been a hydrological survey carried out which will hopefully clarify the situation.
In discussing this with Bob Leeming of the Ribble Link Trust he has indicated that it's probably silt in the the first pound after the rotating tidal gate that's the problem. BW staff let boats proceed while the tide is still coming in thus giving more depth to the first pound. The designed depth over the lock cills is 4',  thus there should be plenty of leeway for boats with drafts above 24".  
 
Latest News (from Mike Carter   IWA Chester & District )
Iain Weston (BW Wigan) now reports that BW has completed the survey and the new maximum draft for boats will be 33".
Depending on how you look at this this allows access for 85.67% of BW licensed boats or excludes 14.33% . Personally I think this is good news ( figures taken from Boat Draft figures in BWs dredging stats ).
I'm assuming that they will update the skippers guide with maxima from 24" to 33".
 
Text of Iain Weston's email (BW Wigan)>
 
"Using a combination of technical information from our survey team and anecdotal information from my staff and the many boaters who have travelled the link we will be setting the draft at 2’9”. The level was set using many criteria, however the main restricting factor has been the seasonal siltation that  we remove at the start of each year. In theory it may well be possible to get a craft with a deeper draft through the link in April but I would have significant concerns about its ability to return by July; or even earlier if we have very heavy rainfall in spring. I am now on annual leave until the 3rd January, if you would like further information I will be more than happy to supply on my return to work."