Escaut

I see that the Fresnes lock is now due to reopen at 0615 on Saturday 8th June, a bit earlier than they thought.

Sue
Many thanks for your help and information. We have a practical air draft of 3.7m without taking the front windows out which rules out the suggested work around. Having looked at the distance to Charleroi and the issues on the Sambre, we have decided to stay put and spend some time in Tournai before hopefully continuing with the Escaut route.
Jonathan Hill Carlisle 2.

Another thing to mention is that it’s been reported that the max airdraft at écluse Triest on Roubaix is down to 3.10, we believe it is in fact a little more than that as we came thru last autumn at 3.25 without difficulty and Camille informs me that if we got thru last year we will this year as it’s unchanged.  still best to be aware.

Hugely helpful, thank you Sue.
I have Dimitri's number thanks. Getting him to answer is not easy! Or indeed getting anyone to answer anything!
More tomorrow,
Robert

 

Hi Robert, I’ll try to answer all your questions. 
yes, you need to give advance notice to Camille to transit Roubaix in either direction, you should be able to contact Camille on clongueval@lillemetropole.fr (she speaks excellent English) she will be able to give you the number for the Belgian end, 24hrs notice reqd.
i think it’s extremely unlikely she can offer you secure mooring for a couple of months, I certainly would not leave our barge unattended in  Roubaix, not at Leers Nord as it’s only a small mooring and they encourage as many visitors as possible. Maybe consider Wambrechies which is at the France end of the canal de Roubaix or perhaps ask at Peronnes before Tournai, they have a long serviced visitor arm there (I will try to get you a number for Dimitri, the visitor capitaine) and it’s certainly secure. I would think there’s  probably space at Armentieres as there are two basins there, both secure, but we haven’t been in there for years since it became difficult to transit La Lys. Hope that helps.

Sue, thank you again! Back in the loop now.

Jonathan, thanks, no decisions yet and not urgent for now.

Sue, I'm having trouble sourcing the information about Lille Metropolitan.
If you have time, could you please answer these?

Does the Roublaix require notice in advance?
At Lille Metropolitan, how likely are they to have secure space for 9m x 4m x 1m for a couple of months?
Do you have a confact number for Camille please?
Any views on Armentiers and whether they are likely to have space?

Huge thanks
Robert

Sue
Many thanks as I had not considered that option and has the advantage of new ground and not keen on the Canal de Sambre. Let you know our progress and did you hear from Robert?
Jonathan Hill

I think your best bet is to go thru Tournai and turn left onto canal l’Espierres/Roubaix, that’ll bring you out into Lille and then you can go south to Billy Berclau junction and on from there. Camille at Lille Metropole is very efficient and she needs the numbers so it’s a very worthwhile consideration. 

Robert
I see you have encountered the same closed lock. What solution did you decide to follow and where were you heading. We were taking this route on our way to Paris and have the option of the longer route to Mons/Charleroi and down the Sambre and the weed issues on the Canal de la Sambre a l'Oise. Your solution would help our next route.
Jonathan Hill Carlisle 2

Sue
I have come late to this issue and wondered whether anyone has found a good alternative and/or used the Scarpe Inferiere onto the Canal de la Sensee as a work around.
Jonathan Hill Carlisle 2

Sue
I can confirm the lock is closed. We are trying to get south as we are trying to get to Cambrai. Other than wait to the 10thJune, any suggestions
Jonathan Hill Carlisle2.

For up to date info download the VNF’s NAVI app.

Judy Evans
MV Mon Amie

Hi Robert, the VNF NAVI app indicates that écluse Fresnes will be shut for one more day past the previously published date on the Avis, will now reopen on 10th June. 

Try the Network Situation here

The link on the DBA page has been updates.

We have just fallen into this Escaut trap, unaware about the closure of this lock and trying to reach Valenciennes from the north.
Meanwhile, I cannot make the DBA site link to the VNF chômages work. Does anyone have a good link to France stoppages that works please?
Thank you

Thanks Sharon, had a telephone conversation with the éclusier at Fresnes, yes it’s defiantly not just ‘interrupted’ from Sunday 5th eve, it’s firmly shut, closed, no navigation until June 9th. So that’s a big rethink then! 

Sue, I found the Avis on that unclear also.  As I read it, from April 22 there was a vigilance warning, while work would be done that would not impact navigation, but slow doena and pay attention.  Then it said from May 2 the dechetterie (ie rubbish disposal) would be closed and the passerelle (pedestrian walkway) dismantled.  The work described doesn't sound like it needs a full shut down, but they definitely said navigation interrupted (ie halted) 5/5 at 6 Pm to 6/10 at 6 AM.  I get the same result from the interactive stoppages map.  It seems like a rather major waterway to have shut down in that time period.  Perhaps try a contact us message to the director of the UTI that covers that waterway.  It took a little persistence but I got a direct answer about a closure on the Aisne a la Marne that way. 

Sue,
Also I think 24 June to 6 July.

I’ve just found my way around the new VNF chantiers page and discovered that écluse Fresnes, the last French lock before Belgium looks to be scheduled for ‘navigation interruption’ from 6th May to 9th June. Does anyone know if the lock will be closed for navigation throughout this whole period or if navigation will be restricted to certain times during this period? Apologies if this question has already been addressed and I’ve missed it.