BOAT users were left stranded in Newbury without electricity or hot water after a key bridge that connects the town's waterways broke down.

More than 37 boats queued patiently on Monday as engineers lifted the hydraulically operated swing bridge at West Mills to let them through, having been moored for a week.

However, it is not known how long it will take to fix the bridge before further traffic can pass along the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Liberty Cranham, whose boat, Gemma May, had been stuck on the Kennet and Avon since last Tuesday (6) said that she and her partner, Steve Woodman, had been without water and electricity for several days.

She said: "It has been horrendous. Because you need to keep the engine going if you want electricity or water, being stationary for so long it went flat a few days ago so we've had no electricity or water. We've just had to use lots and lots of deodorant over the past few days.

"Some people have been really kind and other boaters have let us use their boats to charge our phones, but the whole thing has been a bit of a nightmare."

The couple were heading back to Bath, where they were supposed to be moving out of their flat to live permanently on the boat.

She said: "It will take us another five or six days to get back, but I'm worried because we were expecting to be back a week ago, so we could then move out of our flat in time.

"We also ran out of diesel a few days ago and had to get a tanker and go up to Sainsbury's to refuel."

Motorists were also affected by the breakdown, as Kennet Road was blocked at the junction of Craven Road to allow engineers to bring the crane through.

It was good news for the Lock Stock and Barrel pub as they saw an increase in punters the week the bridge broke.

Ben Cookson, supervisor, said: "There were definitely a lot more boats than usual moored up on that part of the canal. We didn't realise the bridge was broken, but it definitely was good for us. We saw a lot more people coming in over the weekend."

The Canal and River Trust said that the hydraulics in the bridge failed, but still do not know how long it will take for the bridge to be repaired.  and engineers have now taken the part away to be fixed.  

Mark Evans, waterway manager at the Canal & River Trust, said: “We’re really sorry to the boaters who’ve been inconvenienced by this.  We lifted the bridge yesterday, so they should now all be on their way. 

"The part of the bridge that failed is now with specialist engineers, who are still in the process of determining how long it’ll take to fix.  We really appreciate everyone’s patience while we get this sorted.”