Jonkx

Thay sounds good I think. Just checked on CRT maps and there is no winding hole marked at the end. But sounds from the chat that I'd be able to wind my 52 ft narrowboat by the workshops, even if they were closed?

Ah yes, the deep water sign! Suppose we're lucky they haven't fenced it all off...

We didn't get to do the Town Arm as we were a bit pressed for time, having added a day's diversion to our route back to Birmingham, and went straight (almost) up the locks. Guess that's where the balloon is? Will have to visit another time.

We went round the Curley Wyrely last Autumn before the lockdown and we enjoyed it. Moored at Wednesfield, which was a nice enough town, Pelsall which was lovely, and Longwood above the Rushall locks on the outer edges of the Birmingham metropolis. Didn't manage the Cannock Extension so that's something to go back for. Managed the Angelsey Branch and enjoyed a walk along the Reservoir at Chacewater. It was slowish going at times, got the feeling not many boats had been there for a while and weeds had grown. Once I learned to cut revs at bridges and generally go a bit slower, I didn't need to go down the weedhatch as often, beginners mistake. As the water was clear, you could often see some debris before you went past. Coming back, we'd intended to go up Ryders Green locks but I hadn't seen the notice about the Midland Metro bridge works then at Hampole Bridge. So we had to detour back via the Walsall. It wasn't too bad, yes did get a fair few things round the property including a builders merchants bag, but we got there. Almost couldn't get in the bottom lock at Walsall, which I read someone else had also found - since reported it to CRT and they advised they've now checked this and its okay. Okay the Walsall may not be the most scenic but it's not horrendous either. Guess if you just take it calmly and on a sunny day if you can. All in all it was an enjoyable experience and I'd recommended it.

Just to check with those who know, is it still the case that you have to go Mon to Fri in working hours, if you want to wind at the end by the Bradley Workshops? As per Nicholson's Guide.

Me too. Kicked up to the new rate, so about 5% increase. Still cheaper having the extra month though.

Thanks

I saw these on Google too. Any good? Let us know when you've had the chance to use then. Cheers

He makes so many unsubstantiated claims about how reliable it is when he's basically just got it out the box. And it's as though he's just reading off the manufacturers website about it being hand made etc.

Good news, it's open. Update on 31/03/2021: Many weeks of hard work by our engineers and contractors have allowed us to make excellent progress on the repairs to the culvert at Bridge 80, Bennetts Bridge on the Shropshire Union Canal. The new culvert and bed repair have now been completed. We are pleased to confirm that the canal will reopen to navigation at 4pm today, 31 March. Towpath diversions will remain in place as works to reinstate the towpath continue after Easter. An update will be provided on Friday, 9 April. We would like to extend our thanks to our neighbours at Overwater Marina and Mill Lane for their patience and support throughout the project.

But would it not belong to you, as per the red line on the plan, so you could do whatever within reason you wanted in it? Or is that red line not the property ownership? Unless there's some sort of deed or agreement between CRT and the arm owner?

I did, but probably wouldn't be able to give a summary, so appreciate if anyone else does. I thought they did say they'd share the slides though.

This is fascinating. So the question is, if you bought the house do you get the arm, and rights to moor any boats there?

Yes, it was. I remember your words of advice now. Hope those lock gates get fixed soon, and hope you've not had too many problems since?

Yes, I didn't find them too bad, moored at Tottenham Lock and Ponders End on the lower section, not the most scenic but handy for tube/train, then Broxbourne which was lovely, Ware, and Hertford in the town. For me it was a first experience of being on a proper river, well apart from Consall Forge section of Caldon. Was lovely. River Stort was even more rural, it was like taking the boat up a stream in places. Made it to Bishop's Stortford, after a wait below the top lock in a stoppage due to water shortages! Found it trickier to find moorings on the River Stort, seemed few and far between on the river sections, and busy at Harlow Town - had to go to the Mill. Also had my first involuntary swim near Roydon... ?

Also, when I was down in London, I didn't plan to navigate the Rivers Lea and Stort, but ended up doing all of them, up to Hertford via Ware, and up to Bishops Stortford. Someone very nicely told me they were worth doing on my way down to London, near Ivinghoe Lock, and I'm glad I did.

In my experience in 2019 the double mooring was roughly from Paddington to Hackney Wick on the Lee Navigation. I didn't stop between Victoria Park and Limehouse, but that bit gets busy too. I managed to find a visitor mooring by Victoria Park, moored there okay for a week and someone moored alongside me, similar near Hackney Wick. I moored up alongside another boat just west of Little Venice in Paddington, also fine for two weeks. It gets less busy after Mitre Bridge going towards Park Royal going northwards.

Well done for raising this, thank you. I have objected, took about 5 minutes, on the council website link given in David Macks post. Agree with all the sentiments here and objected for those reasons. In any case, the restoration can be progressed step by step, and if you block it at the start of the route that's a disaster and a terrible missed opportunity. Hope the application gets rejected or resubmitted safeguarding a viable route for the canal.

Thanks, fingers crossed then, or maps at ready/crossed..

Anyone have any updates on this, or any ideas whether it will be repaired before we can stay on and travel on boats, i.e. April 12th? Didn't see any dates or forecasts of dates on CRT notice, unless I'm missing something. https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/19018-bridge-80-bennetts-bridge-shropshire-union-canal

Above article being about Anderton Boat Lift, as opposed to the stoppage near Anderton Boat lift (oops).

Article in Northwich Guardian posted in my Google feed today, suggests it will be 18 months before works start, after summer 2022 all being well. Posted twice in case link thing doesn't work. https://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/news/19119522.major-refurbishment-project-cards-anderton-boat-lift/ https://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/news/19119522.major-refurbishment-project-cards-anderton-boat-lift/

Funnily enough I took a six month Waterways World subscription a few years ago at Crick Boatshow and have been thinking about trying Canal World. Similarly thinking of trying both. I like Waterways World. Do tend to find I've read it in about half an hour mind. Perhaps a reason to have both...?!

Does sound like it could be a sign of some rot. I had a similar issue in my narrowboat, a leak from the calorifier soaked the floor at the stern end of the cabin under the steps. It just got softer and softer, so I had the damaged section replaced at Glascote Boatyard, they did a good job. Also had a section at the front done, where it turned out there had been a slow leak from the outside deck area.

Thanks alot both. As far as I can tell the policies are fairly similar. Craftinsure come out a fair bit cheaper, and I've been with them 4 years so will probably stick with them.