'I don't want my home to sink!' Boater's nightmare as lock closure leaves him 'stranded' on Tipton canal
A man who needs urgent repairs on a hole at the bottom of his narrowboat says he will sink if he can't get to a dry dock - but a mysterious stoppage is in his way.
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Chris Yates says he is 'stranded' at lock one in Tipton on the Birmingham Mainline canal since the Factory Locks closed last Tuesday (January 21).
Mr Yates, who has lived on his narrowboat Marybet for 17 years, now has a hole forming at the bottom of his boat and says he urgently needs to get to a dry dock for repairs.
The former photojournalist added that if he could pass through locks one to three, the boat yard is less than half a mile's journey and he could get the help he needs. Using the diversion suggested by the Canal and River Trust will "not get [him] there soon enough".
The trust's website says locks one, two and three have been closed due to a police incident since January 21 - West Midlands Police said the Environment Agency is leading the case.
