Market Harborough closed for Summer

[matty40s]

Thought this needed it's own thread.

Unless you manage to book a hire boat berth, theres no moorings in Market Harborough this Summer.

It says Towpath closure, but underneath says "Is the towpath closed?- NO" 🤡

 

It has taken longer to finalise the appointment of the contractor who will be carrying out the works.

The new provisional start date is w/c 22nd May 2023

To ensure the safety of the public and our contractors the towpath will be closed between Union Basin and Turnover Bridge on the Market Harborough Arm

This is for improvement works starting at the end of March for 15 weeks. The project is to improve the 2km stretch by resurfacing the towpath in a tar and chip surface. We ask that boats do not moor on this section during the works. Thank you for your patience while these improvements are taking place.

DescriptionTo ensure the towpath will bemprove

[Chris Lowe]

I better take care when I walk along there then, with a nicely surfaced cylce path they'll be wizzing along.

[enigmatic]

tbh I seem to remember it being a relatively good towpath last time I moored there! I realise there's other stuff like local funding to consider, but odd priorities

[Richard T]

The towpath by the moorings is actually quite muddy so due for an upgrade.

[ditchcrawler]

I wonder if they will turn the water off to the waterpoints ?

[George and Dragon]

One of our favourite trips. 

I cannot understand why they need to prevent mooring along the whole stretch for 15 weeks. 

Elf n safety again, I expect.

It appears pedestrians and cyclists are not going to be affected during the works.

[matty40s]

We now have Great Haywood/Tixall Wide, centre of Birmingham and Market Harborough with closed towpaths during Summer.

Perhaps they will close Stoke Bruerne, Braunston and Hillmorton too, then we will really know they dont give a chuffed about boaters

Market Harborough is a destination spot for many of the hire boats from Gayton, Kate Boats, Rugby,  Braunston, Napton and Calcutt.

It really does need the Navigation advisory bods to pipe up and say something.

[Mike Todd]

23 hours ago, George and Dragon said:

One of our favourite trips. 

I cannot understand why they need to prevent mooring along the whole stretch for 15 weeks. 

Elf n safety again, I expect.

It appears pedestrians and cyclists are not going to be affected during the works.

Last week we passed a section of towpath just above Worcester which was being upgraded. Despite notices saying that it will be closed for a long period, as much as possible was open and was well used!

[gatekrash]

14 hours ago, Mike Todd said:

Last week we passed a section of towpath just above Worcester which was being upgraded. Despite notices saying that it will be closed for a long period, as much as possible was open and was well used!

We went through there a couple of weeks ago. There were big notices and barriers saying 'footpath closed'. The cyclists were just ignoring them and cycling around them anyway then expecting the guys with the mini diggers to get out of their way. We had a chat with the workers and they said they didn't bother challenging anyone because of the abuse they got.

So the closed towpath was open by default!

[cuthound]

9 hours ago, gatekrash said:

We went through there a couple of weeks ago. There were big notices and barriers saying 'footpath closed'. The cyclists were just ignoring them and cycling around them anyway then expecting the guys with the mini diggers to get out of their way. We had a chat with the workers and they said they didn't bother challenging anyone because of the abuse they got.

So the closed towpath was open by default!

 

Perhaps they should have used the mini diggers to dig deep pits at both ends of the work to trap unwary cyclists...

[matty40s]

9 hours ago, gatekrash said:

We went through there a couple of weeks ago. There were big notices and barriers saying 'footpath closed'. The cyclists were just ignoring them and cycling around them anyway then expecting the guys with the mini diggers to get out of their way. We had a chat with the workers and they said they didn't bother challenging anyone because of the abuse they got.

So the closed towpath was open by default!

There is a very useful chandlery in most towns and cities called WHSmith.

You can pick up boating essentials like drawing pins, thumb tacks or anything else that boaters like to call them......

[enigmatic]

Apparently not the CRT's cash funding it, so the daft schedule may not be their choice https://harboroughfm.co.uk/900000-scheme-to-transform-canal-towpath-in-market-harborough/?fbclid=IwAR179r_gAIPAyrGAJO0wBrXfZ76tm3mI3hSZaDEiHoT58WDM6KwvLMbHyiw

[matty40s]

As with the others, CRT still have to agree the timings.

[Rob-M]

Some of these works though the funding is use it or lose it which probably forces the hand of CRT to accept whatever those who are funding the works propose.  Admittedly CRT could at least make it look like they are considering the impact on boaters rather than just sending out a simple "It is closed" stoppage notice.

[Proper Charlie]

Has anybody tried mooring in Harborough recently? Any update on whether it's possible or whether all moorings are actually closed would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Chris Lowe]

If the weather isn't crap, I'll go to the basin over the weekend and take some photos.

[Guest]

I think it would be easier for CRT if they just posted a list of the bits of the system that are open.

[Chewbacka]

6 hours ago, Proper Charlie said:

Has anybody tried mooring in Harborough recently? Any update on whether it's possible or whether all moorings are actually closed would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Sorry brain failure - I am talking about Great Haywood so ignore the original comment 

Edited July 14, 2023 by Chewbacka

[Proper Charlie]

Thanks - do you know if the visitor moorings near the basin are open?

[Chewbacka]

2 hours ago, Proper Charlie said:

Thanks - do you know if the visitor moorings near the basin are open?

Sorry brain failure - I am talking about Great Haywood so ignore the original comment

Edited July 14, 2023 by Chewbacka
Brain fog so talking rubbish