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Any advice for Manchester transit (west to east)


jetzi

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I'm planning in the next few days to transit the Bridgewater canal, through Manchester, up the infamous "Rochdale 9" locks, right onto the Ashton canal, then it looks like I'm out of the woods (or rather, back into the woods where I belong) when I get to Millbrook.

 

I'm not too concerned about the horror stories, but I do prefer the country so my aim is to do the urban bit as fast as possible. It's a pretty long trip though so I will likely have to spend at least two nights in the city.

 

I'm completely unfamiliar with this part of the country, but my aim is to eventually go through the Standedge tunnel, then to check out the Peak Forest canal simply because it has the nicest sounding name. Once I'm done up there I plan to come back to the more familiar waters of the Trent and Mersey by way of Macclesfield.

 

I've read a few of the older posts on the topic, but I wondered if anyone has any general advice or more recent updates?

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What's your exact dates?

We are aiming to get down the Rochdale (from the Rochdale) next Wednesday, overnighting in New Islington then going up the Ashton on Thursday.

There is currently a stoppage on the Rochdale 9, it should just be fixed by Wednesday but if they hit any snags it could well be delayed.

 

.............Dave

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Ah, so there is... https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/19979-lock-84-to-lock-92-rochdale-9-manchester-rochdale-canal

 

Quote

Description

Please be advised navigation is closed between Lock 84, Dale Street and Lock 92, Castlefield due to an issue with the balance beam to heelpost connection at Lock 85, Piccadilly on the Rochdale Canal which has affected safe operation of the lock.

Our teams are aware and are working on a method of repair.

An update will be provided tomorrow, Friday 18 June.

 

18/06/2021 16:09

Our teams have met with our specialised contractors onsite today at Lock 85, Piccadilly on the Rochdale Canal to create a method of repair. Our contractors have now designed the replacement bracket, which now requires approval from our engineers, and due to being a listed structure, Listed Building Consent is required.

Once we have received this approval and the bracket has been fabricated, our teams will work together to install it in place.

It is anticipated we will have a more understanding on timescales by Wednesday 23 June.

 

23/06/2021 16:55

The design for the replacement steel bracket to repair Lock 85, Piccadilly on the Rochdale Canal has been approved and is being fabricated this week.

We will then be onsite Monday 28 June to dewater the lock and further inspect the gates. Subject to the outcome of this inspection, it is our intention to then start the works to install the bracket into place. We anticipate these works will take 3 days.

An update on progress will be provided by Tuesday 29 June.

 

Thanks for pointing that out, could have been a real problem. And sounds like the kind of thing that might hit snags. Still, excellent communication from cart so far, so I'll check again on Tuesday.

 

Don't have exact dates, was thinking perhaps making the transit from Saturday to Tuesday or thereabouts. But perhaps I'll head up towards Liverpool first instead. I wanted to see the Barton swing aqueduct anyway.

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I phoned CRT last week about getting a volunteer to help us down the Rochdale through Failsworth/Newton Heath.

I note that their automated answering now has boating issues as item 1 rather than 4 or 5 where it used to be.

They phoned back today and I had a good conversation with somebody who understands urban boating, stoppages, water shortages and local canal routes.

CRT got 10/10 today.

 

...............Dave

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Posted on NBW yesterday - could be a few days yet :

 

 

 

'Rochdale Nine' still closed

 PUBLISHED: THURSDAY, 24 JUNE 2021

THE 'Rochdale Nine' through Manchester is still closed at Lock 85.

Though the design for the replacement steel bracket to repair the lock has been approved and is being fabricated this week, the lock chamber has to be dewatered and the gates inspected, Keith Gudgin reports.

Installation of the bracket

After this the intention is to then start work on the installation of the bracket once its design has been approved by the engineers, which is required as the lock is a listed structure.

It is expected that the navigation will reopen in early July.

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9 hours ago, dmr said:

I phoned CRT last week about getting a volunteer to help us down the Rochdale through Failsworth/Newton Heath.

I note that their automated answering now has boating issues as item 1 rather than 4 or 5 where it used to be.

They phoned back today and I had a good conversation with somebody who understands urban boating, stoppages, water shortages and local canal routes.

CRT got 10/10 today.

 

...............Dave

Yes, there are a number of volunteer Ranger Lockkeepers who may be able to give you a hand if requested on the Rochdale, Ashton and HNC, all are local and boaters who know the area and can give advice as well as help 

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The Ashton used to be a bit of a horror story with feral kids but it's a lot better now. I've done it in the 'bad old days' when rumours of antisocial behaviour were frequent but never had any real trouble apart from kids running along the roof of the boat in front. I've done it several times in the past 10 years and it's been fine. The problem these days seems to be C&RT neglect of the Rochdale Nine 

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1 hour ago, Midnight said:

The problem these days seems to be C&RT neglect of the Rochdale Nine 

Not just CRT, nor even mainly them I'd have thought. The majority of the area seems neglected and filthy and is terribly affected by drug and alcohol abuse. Manchester City Council have control of licencing, street cleaning and policing, whilst local business must also play a part. Unless the other agencies also play their part, any efforts by CRT are likely to make little difference. Sadly, it appears that they once did get together and improve the place then, high profile project completed, moved on and left it to go feral and decline.

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Once the "Nine" is open then I would plan to go up those nine and turn right onto the Ashton. Half a mile or so on there is Telford Basin on the right which is a good overnight mooring. It is behind security gates so you can't get out onto the street but normally a local resident will give you the gate code. I think it is a 24 hour mooring there. Then next day go up the Ashton flight and at the top there is Droylesden Marina which you can stay in for about £10 a night I think. That is also secure mooring. Then onwards and upwards!

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27 minutes ago, Alway Swilby said:

Once the "Nine" is open then I would plan to go up those nine and turn right onto the Ashton. Half a mile or so on there is Telford Basin on the right which is a good overnight mooring. It is behind security gates so you can't get out onto the street but normally a local resident will give you the gate code. I think it is a 24 hour mooring there. Then next day go up the Ashton flight and at the top there is Droylesden Marina which you can stay in for about £10 a night I think. That is also secure mooring. Then onwards and upwards!

By suggesting the OP needs to moor behind locked gates you are perpetuating the stereotype. I have moored overnight against the towpath at Ducie Street Basin and Fairfield Top with no problems whatsoever.

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34 minutes ago, Alway Swilby said:

Once the "Nine" is open then I would plan to go up those nine and turn right onto the Ashton. Half a mile or so on there is Telford Basin on the right which is a good overnight mooring. It is behind security gates so you can't get out onto the street but normally a local resident will give you the gate code. I think it is a 24 hour mooring there. Then next day go up the Ashton flight and at the top there is Droylesden Marina which you can stay in for about £10 a night I think. That is also secure mooring. Then onwards and upwards!

Telford basin used to be code entry (it was when we stayed there overnight in 2017, very nice, see photo) but IIRC since then it's changed over to fob entry, so they can't give you the code any more ?

 

 

telford.jpg

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I was on the Ashton and at the swing bridge had a mixed race kit drag his electric scooter over the roof from one side to other while I was half way through the bridge. Man o man did he get shouted at and his reply “ bloody racist” if my wife was here at that time she would have ripped him a new arse in Hindi being she is Indian I must admit I love seeing her get to it when someone upsets her. However back to the post doing the nine no real issue just get on with it overnight before getting into city centre set off early the next day before the wasters are out of bed job done. 

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Overnight in Castlefield basin (of which I have heard rumours about more of it becoming permanent private moorings??) Then towpath by or in Telford basin, then Dukinfield Jn. Staylbridge by Tesco is generally ok for mooring when you go up the Huddersfield. And also outside Scout tunnel, by the pub in Moseley and Uppermill/Dobcross and Diggle all lovely spots. There are threads on this too.

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