The Importance of
Unlocking the Lot
Reflections from the inauguration of the Saint-Vite lock
Écluse is translated as ‘lock’ in English, which naturally also has another familiar meaning.
The Lower Lot clearly has need of ‘keys’ to open the locks that remain, after the successful
inauguration of the Saint-Vite lock, April 14, 2021.
Throughout the speeches made on this occasion, memorable in spite of Covid restrictions, we understood that some of the elected officials present – in particular Daniel Borie, mayor of Saint-Vite and vice-president of Lot and Garonne council – were originally sceptical about the cost-benefits of the Saint-Vite project, and that there were other investment priorities. IWI and its members – boaters waterways enthusiasts – can understand and appreciate this in context of the challenges for residents and businesses in the region.
The next ‘lock’ to unlock will be at Fumel, and we learn that the situation at Albas is also being studied. Maybe it will be possible, within a realistic timescale, to reach Luzech? This is all good news.
We offer the following observations in the spirit of helping to ensure that restrictions to cruising can be recognised and dealt with, and that the communities who invest in that see the benefits.
For there to be a tourism economic benefit derived from St Vite, and in the future from Fumel (and Albas), boating activities are fundamental. Hikers and cyclists visit the area too, but lock investments are not relevant for them. It is indisputable that at present there are very few private boats that cruise on the Lower Lot. There are also no commercial boat rental bases, although until recently there were two, one of which was of significant size (at Port Lalande, Castelmoron). This nautical activity will not occur automatically following the reconstruction of locks; it must be understood, planned and encouraged. There is a sharp business reality to be addressed for dreams to come true. Otherwise, disappointment over lack of usage and income from tourism will be widespread, and rightly so.
Reopening the Garonne Crossing
When the passage of the Garonne was functioning via the Canalet at Aiguillon, rental boats crossed over from Buzet and to join the Lot (and vice versa). This was part of the optimism coincident with the construction of the Castelmoron and Villeneuve locks, and the creation of the many facilities available to boaters along the river (including the impressive Port Lalande marina).
The sad reality – now that the Garonne Crossing is closed – is that the lock keepers of Castelmoron and Villeneuve have very little do, and that Port Lalande is a shadow of its former self. It is excellent that many facilities in the villages – at Castelmoron, Le Temple and Fongrave – are well maintained, and that Sainte-Livrade is improved, but they are all under-utilised. Clairac, for example, is rapidly declining – as a mooring and as an attraction for touristic spend.
The priority to reverse this decline is, therefore, to re-establish the access to and from the Garonne river; in making it work as reliably throughout the season as it used to be when first constructed.
We are fully aware of the management issues in this regard, and also of the problem of contamination beside the old cellulose factory at Buzet. However, we hope that solutions can be found, and as quickly as possible.
The current state of the passage is a major obstacle to the development of river tourism and to the development of commercial rental boats, since neither private boats nor rental boats can no longer access the river Lot. The scale of investment necessary should not exceed that of dealing with the obstruction at Fumel, and is a significant contributor to the tourist economy of the Lower Lot.
The Garonne Crossing project effectively includes three infrastructure aspects:
- The ‘cellulose écluse’ at Buzet (Baïse)
- Localised channel dredging in the Garonne
- Rehabilitation of the Canalet between the Garonne and Aiguillon and two associated measures – buoyage of the river channel and easing regulations for the crossing.
Potential Users - Private Boats and Self-Drive Hire Boats
If we were to rule out this reopening of the Garonne Crossing, what would be the prospects for the navigable section of the Lot taken in isolation when extended by the works carried out at Saint-Vite, Fumel and Albas? The first point concerns private boaters.
One cannot not remedy the scarcity-level of private boats (larger than those of fishermen) simply by improving facilities and increasing promotion. Private boat owners would have to transport their boats in by road, at a significant cost, as long as the Garonne crossing remains unavailable.
Boat rental companies and their specific requirements are fundamental. Private boaters are free to take the initiative to explore the river and take the proposed Fumel travel-lift. This is not necessarily the case with rental boat fleets. Nor, incidentally, private barges, which are not always suitable for lifting in slings (even if the slings are of sufficient capacity).
There is no doubt that around the world private boats and sailing boats are lifted successfully by slings, in both coastal and inland ports. The specific problem for rental boats is the risk of deformation of the GRP hull when lifting.
Private owners can accept a slight deformation which would cause, for example, poor closure of doors, when the lift happens perhaps once per year. However, if a rental fleet were based in Fumel or Port Lalande, each boat could potentially be lifted every week during the season; deformations could occur and then worsen, leading to customer complaints and expense for the fleet owner. A fleet of steel-hulled hire boats could be a solution, but these boats are more expensive and the cost of a rental week would become less affordable.
These difficulties for rental boats are not perhaps not well understood, even by people professionally or technically qualified.
It is our fervent hope, and that of our friends and colleagues (in France and elsewhere in the world) that efforts and investment are fully realised, not in abstract terms, but in terms of reputation, sustainable use and economic profitability.
Potential Users - Cruise Barges
It should be noted that this new use could appear on the Lot and should also be taken into consideration when designing the Fumel travel-lift solution. There are barges carrying 40 people who would find the Lot irresistible, for one week of experience with hotel accommodation on land, combining cruising with visits to places of interest in the region.The Lot is a magnificent waterway, an extraordinary infrastructure, which can serve the new post-pandemic economy across the valley even better than it served the 19th century industrial economy.
About IWI
IWI, at the foundation of the CANALET initiative, is a non-profit association that brings together organisations (public and private) and individuals who support the conservation, use, development and good governance of inland waterways around the entire world.
We educate the public on the benefits of our waterways for a wide range of activities, from their historic function of transporting goods and people to all forms of recreation on and by the water.
We are convinced that managed rivers and canals have a positive impact on people’s lives. The environment of the waterway, in town or in the countryside, invites you to relax and indulge in outdoor activities that contribute to well-being and bring you closer to nature.
Whether you walk, cycle or ride a canal, whether you are a fisherman or a boater, no matter how you experience the waterway, we are convinced that everyone should have access to it. It offers an invaluable “breathing space” in our hectic lives. Through their rich history, their architectural and landscape values, the waterways inspire us and connect us to our past.
IWI defends projects to rehabilitate abandoned waterways. We sponsor the World Canals Conference (WCC), which is held annually.
Among our members are navigable network managers, associative organisations and companies active in the waterways sector and engineering, users and experts in different disciplines. All share their interest in history as well as the current importance of waterways. Members come from 27 countries.
