Realistic Cruising Times on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal

[Midnight]

2 hours ago, Captain Pegg said:

Hence I need some realistic cruising times and I'm not sure I can rely on CanalPlan defaults for that when it comes to the Huddersfield narrow.

 

I have done that trip a few times. To enjoy it I suggest Dukinfield Junction to Stalybridge Tesco Moorings >> Roaches >> Uppermill >> Diggle (afternoon tunnel to Marsden) Marsden >> Sparth Reservoir >> Slaithewaite >> Huddersfield 
Of course it can be done much faster but hard work. Several years ago I single-handed from Uppermill to Hudderfiled in three days - still haven't recovered.

[Cheshire cat]

Keir were doing some serious work for CRT on one of the feeder reservoirs at the base of Pule Hill. I haven't been up there recently so not sure whether the work is finished or not but the reservoir was all but empty to facilitate the work.

 

Also, when passages were being allowed last year I walked the towpath when a boat was going up to Diggle and it was surprising how quickly some of the pounds had drained once the boat had passed through. This may be why you now need an escort. 

[Captain Pegg]

I've booked the tunnel passage. There is no consistency in the messaging. The information on the booking page isn't the same as the information in the notice for 2023 'season' and neither is the same as what Ian pasted above.

 

Now I've got to sort out the lock 1E passage. The options are 0900 or 1500. If I were to go for 0900 what's the option for mooring above the lock. Is there anything sensible other than overnighting immediately above the lock and is there any reason why that isn't a wise move?

 

Cheers.

[IanD]

15 minutes ago, Captain Pegg said:

I've booked the tunnel passage. There is no consistency in the messaging. The information on the booking page isn't the same as the information in the notice for 2023 'season' and neither is the same as what Ian pasted above.

 

Now I've got to sort out the lock 1E passage. The options are 0900 or 1500. If I were to go for 0900 what's the option for mooring above the lock. Is there anything sensible other than overnighting immediately above the lock and is there any reason why that isn't a wise move?

 

Cheers.

 

So did you actually speak to a real human being when you booked Standedge, and what did they tell you?

 

What I posted was the most recent thing I could find but it did say 2022 -- I just found this for 2023 but it was well hidden in the CART search results...

 

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/24381-standedge-tunnel-booking-information-27th-march-2023-to-november-2023

 

A limited number of passages have been released to allow customers to book ahead for the year. From the 27th March we have availability on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and have released 1 passage each way on these days, From the 3rd April this will increase to 2 passages each way.

Boats will set off from Marsden to Diggle between 8.30am and 10.30am, and will set off from Diggle to Marsden between 1pm and 2.30pm. At least 3 working days’ notice is required. Once you have decided which passage you wish to book, simply log in (or register) to the online licensing portal  then go to the Bookings section. If you don't have access to the internet don't worry, you can still call us on 0303 040 4040 or call into your local waterway office and we will happily book your passage for you. 

Marsden to Diggle – Boats are asked to moor just past lock 42E on the day before passage and not to proceed past the second railway bridge until after 5pm. This is to avoid collision with the Standedge Visitor Centre Passenger Vessel which will be operating past this point until 5pm.

After 5pm boats can moor at the tunnel entrance ready for their passage the following day. Passage preparations will start at 8am the next day.

The flight of locks from 32E to 42E is not currently assisted and as such it is important that care is taken when travelling up the flight to minimise water loss. Please ensure all paddles are closed after use.

If you have any difficulties on the flight, please phone 03030 404040 for assistance. Please DO NOT try to run water down from above without Trust assistance. Running water from the summit pound may result in boats becoming stuck in the tunnel or tunnel transit being postponed. 

PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE NO PUMP OUT FACILITIES AT THE VISITOR CENTRE, ONLY A WATER POINT.

Diggle to Marsden – Boats are asked to be at the Diggle portal for 11.30am on the day of passage

Once through the tunnel, boats are welcome to moor above lock 42E for a maximum of 24 hours. Further mooring space is available below lock 32E which is between Marsden and Slaithwaite villages – PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE NO FACILITIES AT THESE LOCATIONS. 

[HenryFreeman]

This has been really useful as I was just asking about a cruise along the Huddersfield. I'm more and more tempted to go this way and could at least do a complete loop back via Hebden Bridge. Thanks all!

[Stroudwater1]

You should be able do the journey in a week. We managed it both ways in June 2022. Aspley Basin to Slaithwaite, D2 Slaithwaite to Marsden (Moorings nicer by the tunnel if possible) D3 Marsden to Stalybridge D4 Stalybridge to Marple bottom lock. So you can extend by a day at each side and be OK still. 

 

On the return One of the lower Rochdale Failsworth locks to Stalybridge D2 Stalybridge to Diggle D3 Diggle to Slaithwaite, D4 Slaithwaite to one of the upper Huddersfield broad locks near the football ground. 

 

Theres plenty to see and do around, we enjoyed stopping near Titanic Mills, New Mills and a walk up from the Marsden end of the tunnel along a bridleway then down into Marsden is lovely.  

 

[Adam]

47 minutes ago, IanD said:

 

So did you actually speak to a real human being when you booked Standedge, and what did they tell you?

 

What I posted was the most recent thing I could find but it did say 2022 -- I just found this for 2023 but it was well hidden in the CART search results...

 

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/24381-standedge-tunnel-booking-information-27th-march-2023-to-november-2023

 

A limited number of passages have been released to allow customers to book ahead for the year. From the 27th March we have availability on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and have released 1 passage each way on these days, From the 3rd April this will increase to 2 passages each way.

Boats will set off from Marsden to Diggle between 8.30am and 10.30am, and will set off from Diggle to Marsden between 1pm and 2.30pm. At least 3 working days’ notice is required. Once you have decided which passage you wish to book, simply log in (or register) to the online licensing portal  then go to the Bookings section. If you don't have access to the internet don't worry, you can still call us on 0303 040 4040 or call into your local waterway office and we will happily book your passage for you. 

Marsden to Diggle – Boats are asked to moor just past lock 42E on the day before passage and not to proceed past the second railway bridge until after 5pm. This is to avoid collision with the Standedge Visitor Centre Passenger Vessel which will be operating past this point until 5pm.

After 5pm boats can moor at the tunnel entrance ready for their passage the following day. Passage preparations will start at 8am the next day.

The flight of locks from 32E to 42E is not currently assisted and as such it is important that care is taken when travelling up the flight to minimise water loss. Please ensure all paddles are closed after use.

If you have any difficulties on the flight, please phone 03030 404040 for assistance. Please DO NOT try to run water down from above without Trust assistance. Running water from the summit pound may result in boats becoming stuck in the tunnel or tunnel transit being postponed. 

PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE NO PUMP OUT FACILITIES AT THE VISITOR CENTRE, ONLY A WATER POINT.

Diggle to Marsden – Boats are asked to be at the Diggle portal for 11.30am on the day of passage

Once through the tunnel, boats are welcome to moor above lock 42E for a maximum of 24 hours. Further mooring space is available below lock 32E which is between Marsden and Slaithwaite villages – PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE NO FACILITIES AT THESE LOCATIONS. 

I spoke to a real human to book a West to East passage, "is that Diggle to Marsden or Marsden to Diggle". They only talked about the info sent in the email.

 

Come to think of it what you have copied above was sent out as a stoppage notice via email. When previously asked when they would open for bookings they said there is a Tunnel inspection on the 20th and bookings will be released after that. 

 

Interesting the 2023 version doesn't mention restrictions on entering the Diggle flight early,I reckon we will encounter a padlock either way.

 

Agree there is no consistency in what they say / do. No wonder boater's on a strict schedule don't bother going that way.

[IanD]

26 minutes ago, Adam said:

I spoke to a real human to book a West to East passage, "is that Diggle to Marsden or Marsden to Diggle". They only talked about the info sent in the email.

 

Come to think of it what you have copied above was sent out as a stoppage notice via email. When previously asked when they would open for bookings they said there is a Tunnel inspection on the 20th and bookings will be released after that. 

 

Interesting the 2023 version doesn't mention restrictions on entering the Diggle flight early,I reckon we will encounter a padlock either way.

 

Agree there is no consistency in what they say / do. No wonder boater's on a strict schedule don't bother going that way.

I was thinking about going via the HNC when I have to get my boat over from Sheffield to Cheshire, but the tunnel timings just don't work given when it'll have to happen to fit in with other weekend commitments -- Friday is too early and Monday is too late... 😞

 

So the Rochdale it is then, assuming enough water and no stoppages -- in which case the L&L is the first backup plan, and the Trent is the last resort...

[Stroudwater1]

3 hours ago, IanD said:

I was thinking about going via the HNC when I have to get my boat over from Sheffield to Cheshire, but the tunnel timings just don't work given when it'll have to happen to fit in with other weekend commitments -- Friday is too early and Monday is too late... 😞

 

So the Rochdale it is then, assuming enough water and no stoppages -- in which case the L&L is the first backup plan, and the Trent is the last resort...

Yes indeed, it’s much safer that way with a 60 footer till you get used to handling her  🤣

[pearley]

15 hours ago, Captain Pegg said:

I've booked the tunnel passage. There is no consistency in the messaging. The information on the booking page isn't the same as the information in the notice for 2023 'season' and neither is the same as what Ian pasted above.

 

Now I've got to sort out the lock 1E passage. The options are 0900 or 1500. If I were to go for 0900 what's the option for mooring above the lock. Is there anything sensible other than overnighting immediately above the lock and is there any reason why that isn't a wise move?

 

Cheers.

We stopped overnight above Lock 3E the last time we were there. Wasn't planned as the gear change cable broke just as we exited the lock. It was the lock landing but only one boat came by. Perfectly peaceful night despite being close the the University.

[Midnight]

14 hours ago, IanD said:

I was thinking about going via the HNC when I have to get my boat over from Sheffield to Cheshire, but the tunnel timings just don't work given when it'll have to happen to fit in with other weekend commitments -- Friday is too early and Monday is too late... 😞

 

So the Rochdale it is then, assuming enough water and no stoppages -- in which case the L&L is the first backup plan, and the Trent is the last resort...

 

Are you planning to do the journey to Cheshire in stages?

[IanD]

1 hour ago, Midnight said:

 

Are you planning to do the journey to Cheshire in stages?

 

No, aiming to get it from Sheffield to the marina (probably Park Farm) in one go over 11 days or so (147 miles 153 locks) , with our usual crew (son and GF) -- like we would normally do for a holiday. Doing it in chunks makes it more difficult for them as well as travel, since it's a 300 mile round trip each time.

 

The problem is that now delivery has slipped into June we have lots of events on at weekends which can't be moved, so the trip has to fit into a suitable gap -- basically, two weeks with one weekend in the middle... 😞

 

Have thought of using a boatmover or truck but would really much rather do the trip ourselves, so this would be an absolute last resort if we just can't make the trip/timing work -- or there's no water anywhere... 😉

 

Will be looking for advice on places to moor since I don't know the canals between Sheffield and the Huddersfield Broad/Calder and Hebble junction at all (there were some useful suggestions some time ago, like Pastures) -- plan right now is something like this:

 

Day 0 : drive up, load boat up ready to go in morning -- will have done a shakedown cruise a couple of weeks earlier

Day 1 : Pastures (past Br 53) -- not clear where to moor?

Day 2 : Heck Bridge (Bay Horse) -- ditto

Day 3 : Barnsley Road VM (Wakefield)

Day 4 : Brighouse Lower Basin VM

Day 5 : Hebden Bridge Wharf

Day 6 : West Summit Lock 37 (Summit Inn) -- moor just above lock? (closes at 4pm)

Day 7 : Rose of Lancaster (near aqueduct)

Day 8 : Castlefield ("tuning fork" arms)

Day 9 : Willow Green Br 208 (Leigh Arms)

Day 10 : Park Farm Marina (short day), drive home

[David Mack]

49 minutes ago, IanD said:

Day 6 : West Summit Lock 37 (Summit Inn) -- moor just above lock? (closes at 4pm)

You can moor above or below the lock. The towpath wall above the lock is quite high as the summit pound was dug extra deep, but is now permanently maintained at a lower level.

49 minutes ago, IanD said:

Day 7 : Rose of Lancaster (near aqueduct)

By the aqueduct is a proper mooring with bollards, whereas behind the pub it is shallow and the bank has collapsed. The pub has its own gate onto the towpath, or carry on under the main road bridge and there is a ramp up to the road with a good Indian takeaway across the bridge.

 

Or if you have time press on to the Boat and Horses. Gets another lock and Grimshaw Lane Lift Bridge under your belt (and you don't have to do the lift bridge in the morning rush hour), and positions you better for the Manchester 18, especially if you want to do the 9 the same day.

Edited March 14, 2023 by David Mack

[Jon57]

41 minutes ago, IanD said:

 

No, aiming to get it from Sheffield to the marina (probably Park Farm) in one go over 11 days or so (147 miles 153 locks) , with our usual crew (son and GF) -- like we would normally do for a holiday. Doing it in chunks makes it more difficult for them as well as travel, since it's a 300 mile round trip each time.

 

The problem is that now delivery has slipped into June we have lots of events on at weekends which can't be moved, so the trip has to fit into a suitable gap -- basically, two weeks with one weekend in the middle... 😞

 

Have thought of using a boatmover or truck but would really much rather do the trip ourselves, so this would be an absolute last resort if we just can't make the trip/timing work -- or there's no water anywhere... 😉

 

Will be looking for advice on places to moor since I don't know the canals between Sheffield and the Huddersfield Broad/Calder and Hebble junction at all (there were some useful suggestions some time ago, like Pastures) -- plan right now is something like this:

 

Day 0 : drive up, load boat up ready to go in morning -- will have done a shakedown cruise a couple of weeks earlier

Day 1 : Pastures (past Br 53) -- not clear where to moor?

Day 2 : Heck Bridge (Bay Horse) -- ditto

Day 3 : Barnsley Road VM (Wakefield)

Day 4 : Brighouse Lower Basin VM

Day 5 : Hebden Bridge Wharf

Day 6 : West Summit Lock 37 (Summit Inn) -- moor just above lock? (closes at 4pm)

Day 7 : Rose of Lancaster (near aqueduct)

Day 8 : Castlefield ("tuning fork" arms)

Day 9 : Willow Green Br 208 (Leigh Arms)

Day 10 : Park Farm Marina (short day), drive home

Heck bridge to broad cut is a option in one hit. Navigation pub ok  or walk over the bridge over the river to horbury plenty of watering holes, Great fish and chip shop from the moorings on denby dale road.

[Midnight]

50 minutes ago, IanD said:

 

No, aiming to get it from Sheffield to the marina (probably Park Farm) in one go over 11 days or so (147 miles 153 locks) , with our usual crew (son and GF) -- like we would normally do for a holiday. Doing it in chunks makes it more difficult for them as well as travel, since it's a 300 mile round trip each time.

 

The problem is that now delivery has slipped into June we have lots of events on at weekends which can't be moved, so the trip has to fit into a suitable gap -- basically, two weeks with one weekend in the middle... 😞

 

Have thought of using a boatmover or truck but would really much rather do the trip ourselves, so this would be an absolute last resort if we just can't make the trip/timing work -- or there's no water anywhere... 😉

 

Will be looking for advice on places to moor since I don't know the canals between Sheffield and the Huddersfield Broad/Calder and Hebble junction at all (there were some useful suggestions some time ago, like Pastures) -- plan right now is something like this:

 

Day 0 : drive up, load boat up ready to go in morning -- will have done a shakedown cruise a couple of weeks earlier

Day 1 : Pastures (past Br 53) -- not clear where to moor?

Day 2 : Heck Bridge (Bay Horse) -- ditto

Day 3 : Barnsley Road VM (Wakefield)

Day 4 : Brighouse Lower Basin VM

Day 5 : Hebden Bridge Wharf

Day 6 : West Summit Lock 37 (Summit Inn) -- moor just above lock? (closes at 4pm)

Day 7 : Rose of Lancaster (near aqueduct)

Day 8 : Castlefield ("tuning fork" arms)

Day 9 : Willow Green Br 208 (Leigh Arms)

Day 10 : Park Farm Marina (short day), drive home

 

 

Day 0 : drive up, load boat up ready to go in morning -- will have done a shakedown cruise a couple of weeks earlier

Day 1 : Pastures (past Br 53) -- not clear where to moor? 

Sprotborough seems to be the favoured spot although I never went past Doncaster so can't really say

Day 2 : Heck Bridge (Bay Horse) -- ditto

Better moorings at Pollington - walk through the farm yard to a quaint little pub. The best moorings at Heck are at the South Yorkshire Boat Club but you need a key to get out. The moorings on the other side are against heavy metal corrigated pilings 

Day 3 : Barnsley Road VM (Wakefield)

Good access to the town if not a little daunting but I haven't heard of any problems there. If you travel on a bit further there's the Navigation at Broadcut

Day 4 : Brighouse Lower Basin VM

Long day from Wakefield with heavy locks but worth it for the Market Tavern in the market square.  Alternatives are Mirfield (The Flowerpot) or Battyeford (The Pear Tree)

Day 5 : Hebden Bridge Wharf

Long day from Brighouse but doable. In June (light nights) it's possible to get from Battyeford to Hebden if you can get through Tuel late afternoon

Day 6 : West Summit Lock 37 (Summit Inn) -- moor just above lock? (closes at 4pm)

Another long grinding day 

Day 7 : Rose of Lancaster (near aqueduct)

That's a bit optimistic your crew may mutiny. If you can afford an extra day you can make the Rose from Littleborough comfortably and you could ease back on some on those long days before.

Day 8 : Castlefield ("tuning fork" arms)

Castlefield mooring were a bit grotty last time we stopped there but there's a nice little mooring just around the corner on the right after you exit the last lock on the Rochdale 9.

Day 9 : Willow Green Br 208 (Leigh Arms)
Lymm - some really good pubs and the best Chinese take-away in the world

Day 10 : Park Farm Marina (short day), drive home

 

Be mindfull that the locks on the Calder & Hebble are pretty hard going and you need to be very careful going through Shepley Bridge, Elland and Salterhebble with a 60ft boat.

 

 

 

Edited March 14, 2023 by Midnight

[IanD]

51 minutes ago, David Mack said:

You can moor above or below the lock. The towpath wall above the lock is quite high as the summit pound was dug extra deep, but is now permanently maintained at a lower level.

By the aqueduct is a proper mooring with bollards, whereas behind the pub it is shallow and the bank has collapsed. The pub has its own gate onto the towpath, or carry on under the main road bridge and there is a ramp up to the road with a good Indian takeaway across the bridge.

 

45 minutes ago, Midnight said:

 

 

Day 0 : drive up, load boat up ready to go in morning -- will have done a shakedown cruise a couple of weeks earlier

Day 1 : Pastures (past Br 53) -- not clear where to moor? 

Sprotborough seems to be the favoured spot although I never went past Doncaster so can't really say

Day 2 : Heck Bridge (Bay Horse) -- ditto

Better moorings at Pollington - walk through the farm yard to a quaint little pub. The best moorings at Heck are at the South Yorkshire Boat Club but you need a key to get out. The moorings on the other side are against heavy metal corrigated pilings 

Day 3 : Barnsley Road VM (Wakefield)

Good access to the town if not a little daunting but I haven't heard of any problems there. If you travel on a bit further there's the Navigation at Broadcut

Day 4 : Brighouse Lower Basin VM

Long day from Wakefield with heavy locks but worth it for the Market Tavern in the market square.  Alternatives are Mirfield (The Flowerpot) or Battyeford (The Pear Tree)

Day 5 : Hebden Bridge Wharf

Long day from Brighouse but doable. In June (light nights) it's possible to get from Battyeford to Hebden if you can get through Tuel late afternoon

Day 6 : West Summit Lock 37 (Summit Inn) -- moor just above lock? (closes at 4pm)

Another long grinding day 

Day 7 : Rose of Lancaster (near aqueduct)

That's a bit optimistic your crew may mutiny. If you can afford an extra day you can make the Rose from Littleborough comfortably and you could ease back on some on those long days before.

Day 8 : Castlefield ("tuning fork" arms)

Castlefield mooring were a bit grotty last time we stopped there but there's a nice little mooring just around the corner on the right after you exit the last lock on the Rochdale 9.

Day 9 : Willow Green Br 208 (Leigh Arms)
Lymm - some really good pubs and the best Chinese take-away in the world

Day 10 : Park Farm Marina (short day), drive home

 

Be mindfull that the locks on the Calder are pretty hard going and you need to be very careful going through Shepley Bridge, Elland and Salterhebble with a 60ft boat.

 

 

 

Thanks for the advice 🙂

 

We've done the same trip over the Rochdale in the past (the other way) and didn't find it that hard work with four of us, it would be with two and certainly with one! But then we like long days of cruising and plenty of locks... 😉

 

I'm absolutely aware of the care needed in those locks (especially Salterhebble) with a 60' boat, I took this into account when designing the boat -- the bow (no well deck) is pretty much watertight (we'll be going up) and the rudder sticks out less than normal, with a shorter stern fender as a result which hopefully I won't need to raise -- see photos... 🙂

 

51 minutes ago, David Mack said:

You can moor above or below the lock. The towpath wall above the lock is quite high as the summit pound was dug extra deep, but is now permanently maintained at a lower level.

By the aqueduct is a proper mooring with bollards, whereas behind the pub it is shallow and the bank has collapsed. The pub has its own gate onto the towpath, or carry on under the main road bridge and there is a ramp up to the road with a good Indian takeaway across the bridge.

 

That's where I was aiming for, we've moored there before for those reasons. The food in the pub is OK, I've seen the takeaway recommended before so we might well do that 🙂

 

Edited March 14, 2023 by IanD

[Mad Harold]

21 hours ago, Captain Pegg said:

I've booked the tunnel passage. There is no consistency in the messaging. The information on the booking page isn't the same as the information in the notice for 2023 'season' and neither is the same as what Ian pasted above.

 

Now I've got to sort out the lock 1E passage. The options are 0900 or 1500. If I were to go for 0900 what's the option for mooring above the lock. Is there anything sensible other than overnighting immediately above the lock and is there any reason why that isn't a wise move?

 

Cheers.

The pound above lock 1E may well be too low to get in if there has been no boat movements.Mooring above lock 2E is good in that there is no towpath access there so will be quiet.

If you can get into the lock 1E pound moor with your bow in the lock entrance as the water level is unpredictable.

Better to overnight above lock 2E but you can only get in and out by water.

[Captain Pegg]

Just now, Mad Harold said:

The pound above lock 1E may well be too low to get in if there has been no boat movements.Mooring above lock 2E is good in that there is no towpath access there so will be quiet.

If you can get into the lock 1E pound moor with your bow in the lock entrance as the water level is unpredictable.

Better to overnight above lock 2E but you can only get in and out by water.

 

That's answered something that has been puzzling me.

 

The CRT instructions that accompany the booking (which I've now made) say you should wait above the lock for CRT staff. But if you can access lock 1E why would there be a need for booked passage? One assumes the larger pound below has water given it hosts a boatyard, or is the restriction intended to preserve levels below lock 1E?

[Hudds Lad]

1 minute ago, Captain Pegg said:

 

That's answered something that has been puzzling me.

 

The CRT instructions that accompany the booking (which I've now made) say you should wait above the lock for CRT staff. But if you can access lock 1E why would there be a need for booked passage? One assumes the larger pound below has water given it hosts a boatyard, or is the restriction intended to preserve levels below lock 1E?

Well, the University abstracts water to cool its data centre, where it gets put back in is a different matter. The only answer i could ever get from CRT or the University was that it is put back in the canal, they would not say where and got quite shirty about me asking. Rumour was it either went in the river, or into the Broad.

They have recently been doing a lot of grouting, so seepage through the walls and leaking through the gates are also options.

[Mad Harold]

33 minutes ago, Captain Pegg said:

 

That's answered something that has been puzzling me.

 

The CRT instructions that accompany the booking (which I've now made) say you should wait above the lock for CRT staff. But if you can access lock 1E why would there be a need for booked passage? One assumes the larger pound below has water given it hosts a boatyard, or is the restriction intended to preserve levels below lock 1E?

CRT say the booking system is because of fluctuating water levels.

The University abstract water from pound 1 and I am fairly sure it goes back into the Broad as there is a grill on the lock landing below lock 1E.

The last time I came down there, I moored above lock 1E and couldn't get near the edge untill they started running water down.The level rose, but almost immediately you could see it dropping again.There was another boat in front of me, and when it was my turn my boat only just cleared the cill.

Although my mooring was in the marina in Huddersfield, I have given up on the HNC.

[Adam]

23 minutes ago, Mad Harold said:

CRT say the booking system is because of fluctuating water levels.

The University abstract water from pound 1 and I am fairly sure it goes back into the Broad as there is a grill on the lock landing below lock 1E.

The last time I came down there, I moored above lock 1E and couldn't get near the edge untill they started running water down.The level rose, but almost immediately you could see it dropping again.There was another boat in front of me, and when it was my turn my boat only just cleared the cill.

Although my mooring was in the marina in Huddersfield, I have given up on the HNC.

That is crazy to think after all the years of "water shortages" they have actually sold water rights, i assume enough water does not make it down the HNC over the bywashes to keep that pound full. Why not allow them to pump it from the Broad top pound (river fed through a sluice i believe?)

 

Has anybody got any more info on this?

[Captain Pegg]

12 minutes ago, Adam said:

That is crazy to think after all the years of "water shortages" they have actually sold water rights, i assume enough water does not make it down the HNC over the bywashes to keep that pound full. Why not allow them to pump it from the Broad top pound (river fed through a sluice i believe?)

 

Has anybody got any more info on this?

 

The arrangement may have a precedent from before the restoration, or was otherwise necessitated by the restoration.

 

In any case water extraction from CRT navigations is a common thing and extraction from the bottom of a long flight of locks is usually inconsequential. That does beg the question about where all the HNC water coming off the summit goes. Is there so little boat movement that it just gets lost in low pounds above lock 1E?

 

 

[IanD]

4 minutes ago, Captain Pegg said:

 

The arrangement may have a precedent from before the restoration, or was otherwise necessitated by the restoration.

 

In any case water extraction from CRT navigations is a common thing and extraction from the bottom of a long flight of locks is usually inconsequential. That does beg the question about where all the HNC water coming off the summit goes. Is there so little boat movement that it just gets lost in low pounds above lock 1E?

 

 

IIRC there's only an average of about 1 boat movement per day on the HNC going by the lock cycle statistics -- presumably a bit more in summer and less in winter. I know when we've travelled the length of it in summer, more than one boat a day coming the other day seemed like rush hour... 😉

[Captain Pegg]

Just now, IanD said:

 

IIRC there's only an average of about 1 boat movement per day on the HNC going by the lock cycle statistics -- presumably a bit more in summer and less in winter. I know when we've travelled the length of it in summer, more than one boat a day coming the other day seemed like rush hour... 😉

 

With the current restrictions it's 6 boats per week each way maximum this year. Which explains why there isn't a lot of water arriving at the bottom of the hill.

 

Mind you given some of the channel width restrictions there is massive potential for bust-ups if it ever got busy. In reality that's not going to happen as it's not built for much traffic which is part of it's problem given the sheer scale of the infrastructure.

[IanD]

56 minutes ago, Captain Pegg said:

 

With the current restrictions it's 6 boats per week each way maximum this year. Which explains why there isn't a lot of water arriving at the bottom of the hill.

 

Mind you given some of the channel width restrictions there is massive potential for bust-ups if it ever got busy. In reality that's not going to happen as it's not built for much traffic which is part of it's problem given the sheer scale of the infrastructure.

 

That's across the summit through Standedge. There used to be (presumably still is?) more traffic each side with boats that don't go through the tunnel for whatever reason -- journey plans, timing, fear of the dark, fear of scratching their paint... 😉

 

Given a lot of short pounds and leakage, if the last boat to go through a lock before you was a day earlier it's hardly surprising that sometimes the levels are very low -- we've had to run water down at some point every trip, sometimes more than once, and that was before the maintenance was as bad as it is today... 😞

 

None of which stops it being a fantastic canal *if* you can get through...

 

4 hours ago, Jon57 said:

Heck bridge to broad cut is a option in one hit. Navigation pub ok  or walk over the bridge over the river to horbury plenty of watering holes, Great fish and chip shop from the moorings on denby dale road.

 

Just looking around Mexborough again (uurgh, I hear you say...) I noticed Gorilla Brewing have their brewery tap canalside in the middle of town, and say they welcome boats -- and on Google Maps there's even one moored up there...

 

Anyone ever risked it? 😉

 

Edit -- never mind, only open Saturday and Sunday, forget it.

 

 

 

Edited March 14, 2023 by IanD