Stoppages on the Weaver

[IanD]

According to CART the Vale Royal lock is still closed, and has been for months -- last CART update was on July 4th.

 

Anyone know if this is still the case? Was hoping to spend a day going down the Anderton lift, then go up to the Red Lion at Winsford and back, then back up the lift...

[Tonka]

@Francis Herne was on the Weaver recently

[Francis Herne]

5 hours ago, IanD said:

According to CART the Vale Royal lock is still closed, and has been for months -- last CART update was on July 4th.

 

Anyone know if this is still the case? Was hoping to spend a day going down the Anderton lift, then go up to the Red Lion at Winsford and back, then back up the lift...

I'm still on the Weaver and went through the lock yesterday.

 

Vale Royal is still closed to boats longer than about 35ft. Shorter than that can pass by prior arrangement with CRT North West. Local staff don't expect it to be fixed this year.

 

The specific problem is that the swing bridge over the lock is stuck closed. Short boats can pass under it with the lock empty, then rise on the upstream side of the bridge.

 

Air draft of the bridge with the lock full is roughly 3ft, so longer boats with a tug deck or similar might be able to go up backwards so long as the cabin fits within about 30ft of the top gate. One of the lockies implied they'd done this at least once.

 

There's a big mat of pennywort pressed against the top gates which doesn't help. Last week I ended up pushing the whole raft, about 60ft by 100ft, upriver with Lark to the amusement of the CRT bods.

Edited September 30, 2023 by Francis Herne

[matty40s]

Ah, pennywort, that problem that is supposed to be dealt with, and is under their remit...

You try mooring in Loughborough...

 

[IanD]

9 hours ago, Francis Herne said:

I'm still on the Weaver and went through the lock yesterday.

 

Vale Royal is still closed to boats longer than about 35ft. Shorter than that can pass by prior arrangement with CRT North West. Local staff don't expect it to be fixed this year.

 

The specific problem is that the swing bridge over the lock is stuck closed. Short boats can pass under it with the lock empty, then rise on the upstream side of the bridge.

 

Air draft of the bridge with the lock full is roughly 3ft, so longer boats with a tug deck or similar might be able to go up backwards so long as the cabin fits within about 30ft of the top gate. One of the lockies implied they'd done this at least once.

 

There's a big mat of pennywort pressed against the top gates which doesn't help. Last week I ended up pushing the whole raft, about 60ft by 100ft, upriver with Lark to the amusement of the CRT bods.

@Francis Herne thanks for the explanation -- no chance for us then... 😞

[haggis]

You'll just have to go the other way to the Leigh Arms. 

[ditchcrawler]

11 hours ago, Francis Herne said:

I'm still on the Weaver and went through the lock yesterday.

 

Vale Royal is still closed to boats longer than about 35ft. Shorter than that can pass by prior arrangement with CRT North West. Local staff don't expect it to be fixed this year.

 

The specific problem is that the swing bridge over the lock is stuck closed. Short boats can pass under it with the lock empty, then rise on the upstream side of the bridge.

 

Air draft of the bridge with the lock full is roughly 3ft, so longer boats with a tug deck or similar might be able to go up backwards so long as the cabin fits within about 30ft of the top gate. One of the lockies implied they'd done this at least once.

 

There's a big mat of pennywort pressed against the top gates which doesn't help. Last week I ended up pushing the whole raft, about 60ft by 100ft, upriver with Lark to the amusement of the CRT bods.

And how many millions were spent on it about 4 years ago?

[IanD]

4 hours ago, haggis said:

You'll just have to go the other way to the Leigh Arms. 

Might do both... 😉

 

(have walked down the footpath from canal Br208 to the Leigh Arms a couple of times, might be nice to hop off right next to it)

Edited October 1, 2023 by IanD

[haggis]

I find the Leigh Arms consistently good and the Red Lion not so consistent although we did have a very merry evening there a few months ago with some locals when there was a group on 😀

[Jonkx]

See its still restricted unfortunately. Shame, as hoped to visit this Spring. 

 

Thanks for posting a useful thread anyway.

 

Navigation Restriction: Vale Royal Lock, Weaver Navigation

Detail

From Date: 06/06/2023 11:00

To Date: On-going

Type: Navigation Restriction

Reason: Repair

Is the towpath closed? No

Location

Closest waterway: Weaver Navigation

Starts at: Vale Royal Small Lock Swing Bridge

Ends at: Vale Royal Small Lock Swing Bridge

Updates

29/02/2024 13:54

Please be advised navigation remains restricted at Vale Royal Lock on the Weaver Navigation due to an operational fault with the swing bridge. 

Our engineering teams are in continued talks with specialist contractors and exploring various options available for the repair.

Whilst our teams continue to establish a method of repair, we are now able to offer prearranged passages to boats that fit within both of the following measurements: 

• Boats must have a max length of 10.3m or less. 
• Boats must have an air draft of 3.6m or less. 

Bookings are available to book via your online Canal & River Trust licensing account 

[Stroudwater1]

Is the larger lock not operational at all there? 

[Jonkx]

So, just received this after enquiring about opening times this morning. It appears CRT are ending the winter opening hours on Thursday 28th March 2024 and opening the locks from 9am to 5pm with last passage at 4.30pm over the Easter Holiday. Then summer opening hours as below.

 

Plus, Vale Royal Lock appears to be open again. Can anyone confirm this? 

 

Notice Alert

Weaver Navigation
Location: Opening Times 2024 - Vale Royal, Hunts, Saltersford and Dutton Locks, Weaver Navigation
Starts At: Marsh Lock
Ends At: Vale Royal Small Lock

Friday 29 March 2024 09:00 until Thursday 31 October 2024 16:00

Type: Opening Times

---

 

Original message:

 

Opening Times 2024 - Vale Royal, Hunts, Saltersford and Dutton Locks, Weaver Navigation 

Easter Weekend Friday 29 March – 1 April: All Locks Open 9am – 5pm. Last entry 4:30pm

From Tuesday, 2 April till and inclusive of, Sunday, 27 October, 

Saltersford and Dutton Locks 7 days a week, as per the following times.  

• Monday to Friday: 9am – 5pm. Last entry at 4:30pm
• Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays: 9am – 6pm. Last entry at 5:30pm

Vale Royal and Hunts Locks 7 days a week, as per the following times.  

• • Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays: 9am – 5pm. Last entry at 4:30pm
  • Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays: 9am – 6pm. Last entry at 5:30pm
  •  
  • Tuesdays, Thursdays: 
    • Hunts Lock 9am – 11am. Last entry at 10:30am
    • Vale Royal 11:30 – 1:30pm. Last entry at 1pm
    • Hunts Lock 2:30pm –  5pm. Last entry at 16:30pm 

[Francis Herne]

On 08/03/2024 at 07:41, Stroudwater1 said:

Is the larger lock not operational at all there? 

It isn't.