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Weed in Leeds and Liverpool canal

Fruitcake Alison

By Fruitcake Alison
in General Boating

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Tracy D'arth Veteran II

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Posted
Posted
19 minutes ago, Fruitcake Alison said:

Have just arrived at the top of the Wigan flight. Dismayed to find the state of the canal, we had hoped to make our way to Leeds over the next month or so. Does anyone have any information about how far it continues with this level of weed? Has anyone recently travelled through this stretch? 

There is a good market for weed in the Wigan area.

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Psychalist Contributor

Psychalist

Posted
Posted

Top of Wigan is one of the worst spots for weed floating down to the locks. Top locks usually suffer from it. It gets less not far away. Other hot spots for weed are Blackburn, and Burnley. Leeds has some but not that bad. And yes, I'm referring to the kind that gets on your prop!

 

Having done the hard work getting up the Wigan flight, you really should continue. Some stunning views and lovely countryside awaits. It is quiet too. I think boat numbers are down because of risk of closures and drought. The latter seems to have been avoided.

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LadyG Veteran II

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Posted
Posted
9 minutes ago, Pie Eater said:

I think that the weed collecting machine has been out of action due to nesting birds.

A weed collector was on the Chesterfield a few weeks ago, let's put it this way, it hardly touches the sides. No danger to nesting birds 

 

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pearley Veteran

pearley

Posted
Posted
15 hours ago, Psychalist said:

Weed collecting machines are few and far between. Mainly men with rakes in action currently.

These 2 are moored in front of me. Unfortunately a bit far away at Hilgay on the River Wissey. Besides these 2 the EA have at least 5 smaller ones on the Great Ouse river system.

IMG_20230821_134418_060.jpg

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Jim Wortelhock Contributor

Jim Wortelhock

Posted
Posted

You're over the worst.  We've just arrived at the top of the Wigan flight having come from Leeds. The worst part for weeds was just above Gargrave along the "CURLY WIRLEYS" . In the weed hatch constantly but it was only over a couple of miles. Burnley had a lot of plastic but no complaints otherwise 

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IanD Veteran II

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Posted
Posted
16 hours ago, Jim Wortelhock said:

You're over the worst.  We've just arrived at the top of the Wigan flight having come from Leeds. The worst part for weeds was just above Gargrave along the "CURLY WIRLEYS" . In the weed hatch constantly but it was only over a couple of miles. Burnley had a lot of plastic but no complaints otherwise 

Where did you moor in Leeds -- Granary Wharf?

 

(will be doing the same trip next month...)

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Psychalist Contributor

Psychalist

Posted
Posted

Granary Wharf is best bet and usually plenty of space. Quite a reasonable vibe with bars but gets quiet after about 8pm .Above Office lock to Newlay is advised against (by lock keepers) for mooring overnight. Newlay shuts at 4pm and River lock is open 1-3pm

...oh and to add, there is little chance of mooring in Leeds (Clarence) Dock with only 4 spaces. Worth timing it so you have a choice to get up River Lock if there isn't space. Walk over by the Royal Armouries whilst doing Leeds Lock to check if there's space as the turn is tight and it is worth avoiding the river taxis.

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IanD Veteran II

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Posted
Posted (edited)
48 minutes ago, Psychalist said:

Granary Wharf is best bet and usually plenty of space. Quite a reasonable vibe with bars but gets quiet after about 8pm .Above Office lock to Newlay is advised against (by lock keepers) for mooring overnight. Newlay shuts at 4pm and River lock is open 1-3pm

Are you sure about the restricted River Lock/Newlay opening times?

 

I can't find anything about this anywhere for 2023 -- and I hope it's wrong 'cos that'll screw up getting to Granary Wharf to moor up... 😞

 

Same question for Newlay (assuming you mean the staircase...), can't find any opening time restrictions for that either, at least not this year (there were restrictions in 2022)...

33 minutes ago, IanD said:

Are you sure about the restricted River Lock/Newlay opening times?

 

I can't find anything about this anywhere for 2023 -- and I hope it's wrong 'cos that'll screw up getting to Granary Wharf to moor up... 😞

 

Same question for Newlay (assuming you mean the staircase...), can't find any opening time restrictions for that either, at least not this year (there were restrictions in 2022)...

OK, just found these -- thanks CART for hiding them so well... 😞

 

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/24512-leeds-and-liverpool-canal-lock-flight-operating-times-2023

 

Newlay open 8am-4pm 😞

 

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/24499-leeds-and-liverpool-canal-river-lock

 

River lock open 1pm-3pm since April, last update (no change!!!) 30 June... 😞

 

Being done to "protect water levels in Granary Basin" -- which is really helpful when that's where you want to get, given there are no moorings below the lock... 😞

 

 

48 minutes ago, Psychalist said:

Granary Wharf is best bet and usually plenty of space. Quite a reasonable vibe with bars but gets quiet after about 8pm .Above Office lock to Newlay is advised against (by lock keepers) for mooring overnight. Newlay shuts at 4pm and River lock is open 1-3pm

...oh and to add, there is little chance of mooring in Leeds (Clarence) Dock with only 4 spaces. Worth timing it so you have a choice to get up River Lock if there isn't space. Walk over by the Royal Armouries whilst doing Leeds Lock to check if there's space as the turn is tight and it is worth avoiding the river taxis.

Those opening hours for River Lock (together with Newlay) are an absolute git for us... 😞

 

If we moor below it (Centenary Bridge? Royal Armouries Museum?) then we have to wait half a day until the lock opens at 1pm, then race like mad (assuming we're first in...) to try and get to Newlay before it closes at 4pm -- which is tight to say the least.

 

Alternative is to try and get there before 3pm, but we'll probably be outside the Steampacket in Knottingley the night before which Canalplan says is about a 7 hour run -- then maybe aim for Kirkstall Brewery VM?... 😞

 

P.S. Thanks for the warning and advice 🙂

Edited by IanD
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Jon57 Rising Star

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Posted
Posted
5 hours ago, IanD said:

Are you sure about the restricted River Lock/Newlay opening times?

 

I can't find anything about this anywhere for 2023 -- and I hope it's wrong 'cos that'll screw up getting to Granary Wharf to moor up... 😞

 

Same question for Newlay (assuming you mean the staircase...), can't find any opening time restrictions for that either, at least not this year (there were restrictions in 2022)...

OK, just found these -- thanks CART for hiding them so well... 😞

 

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/24512-leeds-and-liverpool-canal-lock-flight-operating-times-2023

 

Newlay open 8am-4pm 😞

 

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/24499-leeds-and-liverpool-canal-river-lock

 

River lock open 1pm-3pm since April, last update (no change!!!) 30 June... 😞

 

Being done to "protect water levels in Granary Basin" -- which is really helpful when that's where you want to get, given there are no moorings below the lock... 😞

 

 

Those opening hours for River Lock (together with Newlay) are an absolute git for us... 😞

 

If we moor below it (Centenary Bridge? Royal Armouries Museum?) then we have to wait half a day until the lock opens at 1pm, then race like mad (assuming we're first in...) to try and get to Newlay before it closes at 4pm -- which is tight to say the least.

 

Alternative is to try and get there before 3pm, but we'll probably be outside the Steampacket in Knottingley the night before which Canalplan says is about a 7 hour run -- then maybe aim for Kirkstall Brewery VM?... 😞

 

P.S. Thanks for the warning and advice 🙂

Plan z get your boat to your mooring by road  you know it makes sense. As. Mike Tyson said plans are ok until someone hits you in the face. 

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Alan de Enfield Veteran II

Alan de Enfield

Posted
Posted
6 hours ago, IanD said:

Are you sure about the restricted River Lock/Newlay opening times?

 

I can't find anything about this anywhere for 2023 -- and I hope it's wrong 'cos that'll screw up getting to Granary Wharf to moor up... 😞

 

Same question for Newlay (assuming you mean the staircase...), can't find any opening time restrictions for that either, at least not this year (there were restrictions in 2022)...

OK, just found these -- thanks CART for hiding them so well... 😞

 

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/24512-leeds-and-liverpool-canal-lock-flight-operating-times-2023

 

Newlay open 8am-4pm 😞

 

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/24499-leeds-and-liverpool-canal-river-lock

 

River lock open 1pm-3pm since April, last update (no change!!!) 30 June... 😞

 

Being done to "protect water levels in Granary Basin" -- which is really helpful when that's where you want to get, given there are no moorings below the lock... 😞

 

 

Those opening hours for River Lock (together with Newlay) are an absolute git for us... 😞

 

If we moor below it (Centenary Bridge? Royal Armouries Museum?) then we have to wait half a day until the lock opens at 1pm, then race like mad (assuming we're first in...) to try and get to Newlay before it closes at 4pm -- which is tight to say the least.

 

Alternative is to try and get there before 3pm, but we'll probably be outside the Steampacket in Knottingley the night before which Canalplan says is about a 7 hour run -- then maybe aim for Kirkstall Brewery VM?... 😞

 

P.S. Thanks for the warning and advice 🙂

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of being a boat owner in Yorkshire.

 

(With a hire boat you can just tie it up, walk away and go home if you run out of time.)

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Psychalist Contributor

Psychalist

Posted
Posted
6 hours ago, IanD said:

If we moor below it (Centenary Bridge? Royal Armouries Museum?) then we have to wait half a day until the lock opens at 1pm, then race like mad (assuming we're first in...) to try and get to Newlay before it closes at 4pm -- which is tight to say the least.

Interestingly we got different stories from two lock keepers. One said he'd open up early, about 12:30 so boats waiting to get up from the river could make Newlay in time. As it was, a different keeper turned up and opened at 1pm with the view that it wasn't possible to make Newlay in time. Given the weed and going against the flow, the latter is more likely.

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IanD Veteran II

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Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, Jon57 said:

Plan z get your boat to your mooring by road  you know it makes sense. As. Mike Tyson said plans are ok until someone hits you in the face. 

Except we'd actually like to do the trip, not just put the boat on a lorry...

1 hour ago, Psychalist said:

Interestingly we got different stories from two lock keepers. One said he'd open up early, about 12:30 so boats waiting to get up from the river could make Newlay in time. As it was, a different keeper turned up and opened at 1pm with the view that it wasn't possible to make Newlay in time. Given the weed and going against the flow, the latter is more likely.

I think we're going to have to get an early start from Knottingley to get there before 3pm...

1 hour ago, Alan de Enfield said:

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of being a boat owner in Yorkshire.

 

(With a hire boat you can just tie it up, walk away and go home if you run out of time.)

Me and SWMBO can take more time if needed, son and GF might have to leave early but that's OK.

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