david Rushton

NOW IS A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY FOR CRT TO DREDGE SOME OF THE 200 YEARS OF ACCUMULATED SILT IN RUDYARD RESERVOIR. I'M SURE THE NEIGHBOURING FARMERS WOULD BE PLEASED TO RECEIVE SOME FREE FERTILIZER. DAVID RUSHTON.

Thanks Gareth. There is also another feeder to the Macc at Middlewood. The Redacre feeder. BW restored this around 1985/6, however due to mining subsidence when the Macc was at normal levels the feed backed up and overspilt back into Redacre stream. This very short feeder would be the cheapest and easiest to put back in operation,when execess water is available. It only needs the short channel dredging and a layer of stone to lift the level of the feeder to prevent overflowing. After 54 years of boating and 41 years of canal restoration/working parties I look on the present state of our nationat treasure, our waterways, with dismay. Best wishes David

I'm not suprised the Macc has low resevoirs. I explored,and photographed, the feeders to the Bosley and Sutton resevoirs with members of the newly formed Macc canal society between 1984 and 1990. Most of the extensive feeder network had fallen into disrepair. Until these are repaired everytime there is a prolonged dry spell there will be restrictions and canal closures. I doubt CRT (BW mark 2) will have the financial resources to repair them all, as they run to around 10 miles in total, with about 2 miles working. Working feeder streams, Rossendale brook into Sutton resevoir, Swallowdale brook and another stream into Bosley. There is a small feed into the canal at Clarke Lane Bollington. In the acts of Parliament for the construction of the Macc ,the canal company had the authority to construct 5 resevoirs. When we last went down Bosley locks in our boat(now sold) in 2014 there were leaks in a number of gates and masonry walls! Nothing has changed.