Published:
3:35 PM March 8, 2021
Updated:
5:38 PM March 8, 2021
A crew from Cambridge University Boat Club training on the River Great Ouse at Ely for the first time ahead of this year s Boat Race.
- Credit: Terry Harris
Ely played host to crews from Cambridge University Boat Club for the first time this year as they prepare for next month’s Boat Race.
The Blue Boats took to the waters of the River Great Ouse on March 7 under strict Covid-19 guidelines from British Rowing and the Government.
It is the first time that Cambridge have been able to train on water since lockdown restrictions were introduced in November.
Wallingford Accessible Boat Club (WABC) makes boating possible for disabled people in Wallingford and the surrounding area. The boat club had plans with Oxford University Boat Club to use the Fleming Boat House site; however, those plans have fallen through despite the club gaining planning permission causing the club to dramatically rethink its plans for a new site. John Jenkins MBE, Chair of Trustees WABC, explained that after two years of discussions with Oxford University Boat Club the plans were ‘terminated’. He said: “At the end of last year we faced a major disappointment when our discussions with the Oxford University Rowing Clubs based at Fleming Boat House were abruptly terminated.
Grant Shapps has demanded a local council cough-up £64million to help repair closed Hammersmith Bridge and end years of motoring misery for drivers, according to reports.
The Transport Secretary reportedly wants Hammersmith and Fulham Council to cover almost half the costs of the repairs to the 133-year-old west London bridge - which was suddenly closed in August this year after cracks were discovered in the structure.
The shut-down, which followed a closure to vehicles in April 2019, has caused major disruption to traffic in the area, with 16,000 people and 22,000 vehicles a day using the bridge to cross the River Thames.
Experts believe the repairs will not be finished until 2027, sparking a row between local and Government transport chiefs - who want it open sooner.
Will Hammersmith Bridge reopen to pedestrians and cyclists in weeks? dailymail.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailymail.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.