Moorings between Marple and Castlefield (Manchester), Advice

[hvdb]

Hi,

 

We are planning our trip from Brinklow to Liverpool. We want to go via the Macclesfield, Peak Forest and Ashton Canals and then the Leigh Branch.

 

Can you people please tell us where there are good, or not so good, but safe, moorings between Marple and Castlefield Basin in Manchester?

 

And is the BW Leeds & Liverpool type anti-vandal key that is mentioned in my (old, 2000) Nicholson's the same as a normal handcuff key?

 

Thanks for your advice,

Helen

Edited June 9, 2013 by hvdb

[pearley]

Handcuff key is same as anti vandal key and also known as water conservation key.

 

From Marple, once you are down the locks, there a re nice rural moorings just after you cross the aqueduct. Lots of people moor at the junction of the Peak Forest and Ashton. You can also moor in the newish marina at Fairfield Junction on the Ashton. Was £5 night in 2011. Plenty of safe mooring at Piccadily before you go down the Rochdale 9.

 

Regards

Pete

[tillergirl]

Handcuff key is same as anti vandal key and also known as water conservation key.

 

From Marple, once you are down the locks, there a re nice rural moorings just after you cross the aqueduct. Lots of people moor at the junction of the Peak Forest and Ashton. You can also moor in the newish marina at Fairfield Junction on the Ashton. Was £5 night in 2011. Plenty of safe mooring at Piccadily before you go down the Rochdale 9.

 

Regards

Pete

Beat me to it.............don't moor on the Ashton itself.............pray for rain it will keep the ne'er do wells inside.

 

ETA: there was a sofa in the water under bridge 17 on the Ashton in April.................hopefully its been removed now.

Edited June 9, 2013 by tillergirl

[Jim]

Handcuff key is same as anti vandal key and also known as water conservation key.

 

From Marple, once you are down the locks, there a re nice rural moorings just after you cross the aqueduct. Lots of people moor at the junction of the Peak Forest and Ashton. You can also moor in the newish marina at Fairfield Junction on the Ashton. Was £5 night in 2011. Plenty of safe mooring at Piccadily before you go down the Rochdale 9.

 

Regards

Pete

"Lots" of people may moor at the junction, but the moorings didn't look too clever to me. Slightly better on the PIC itself just beforehand.

Free mooring for 14 days Manchester at New Islington Marina two locks up on the Rochdale. and of course good mooring at Castlefield below the Rochdale"nine"

[MartinClark]

You might find some useful information on my Frequently Asked Questions page:

9. Where should I moor in or around Manchester?

 

There are suitable places to moor before and after the Stanley Lift Bridge (no.1) on the Lower Peak Forest Canal in Dukinfield.

[Ian Mac]

Mooring advice for the Ashton - currently being dredged from lock 15 to Dukie Junction, and Lower Peak Forest - (The worst canal in the country for depth!!!!!).

Bottom of Marple locks is good - we moored there last November overnight, no problems but its a good hike to the shops and the pub!

It nice to moor south of Romiley at the Vale rd aqueduct and then walk down to see the chapel at chadkirk. hard to get into the side.

Not had problems at Romiley either in the past.

We have moored in Hyde before today again just north of Manchester Rd, with no problems, there is now a boat yard just south of Manchester Rd on the off side where some people feel more secure.

Around Dukenfield Junction has been ok in the past. As has Globle Square. however I think the pub has shut there now

We moored opposite Ashton Canal Carriers moorings last November for the night and again had no problems. We went to the curry shop at the other end of Hanover St and had a great Curry. Again for the more twitchy they could ask to moor up in the ACC yard but this has no easy exit/entrance and a possible fee.

The basin at Fairfield top in Droylsden has been used, again there may be a cost.

We have never spent an overnight on the Ashton flight, but we have had dinner at the Strawberry Duck at lock 13 several times without problems.

We have always moored up just past Duice St No2. Basin on the main line before Store St aqueduct. Last November was the first time we have ever had any problems in the last 38 yrs, and that was two very drunk girls sitting on the counter playing with the ropes - just a dam nuisance. There are secure mooring on the off side just beyond the aqueduct in Telford Basin and on the off side, again there may be a cost it seems to depend on who you see! They provide the key code to there gated community.

Others have moored around the corner in Dale st without problems, there is a gated pontoon here just before the top lock of the 9 (Lock 84)

If you go two locks up the Rochdale there is the Isslington Marina which also has some secure moorings, some unsecure ones, a tap and pump-out along with a boaters hut.

Remember this is an urban canal so there are more people about, so we normally remove any stuff off the roof and deck before we leave her, anywhere from Manchester to Woodley, but you can never tell, last time we had something knicked we were just south of Norbury on the shroppie

--

Cheers Ian Mac

[hvdb]

Thanks very much for your replies.

They are very helpful and much appreciated.

And thanks for taking the time to react to my question.

 

Cheers,

Helen

 

 

 

 

[MartinClark]

there is a gated pontoon here just before the top lock of the 9 (Lock 84)

Not any more. And there is no charge for Thomas Telford Basin.