Comparisons between Manchester & Birmingham

[Philip]

There seem to be contrasting views between the experiences of cruising through Manchester & Birmingham; there is still a lingering negative perception of Manchester because of the Ashton & Rochdale Canals, even though a lot of the 'horror stories' date back to the 80s and the Ashton especially has greatly improved since then. Birmingham on the other hand tends to be thought of favourably, even with a bit of rose-tinted press, perhaps because it is the centre of the network and the many miles of canals it has. 

 

I do think the scene around Gas Street Basin beats Castlefield hands down, and Farmers Bridge is a lot more pleasant to work through than the Rochdale 9, but aside from these, is the perception towards Manchester a little unfair nowadays and vice versa does the Birmingham canal network get a rather cushy press?

 

I've done both the Ashton and the run into Birmingham via the Grand Union and in my opinion the Ashton is a far more pleasant experience throughout; don't think I've experienced a more unpleasant stretch of waterway than Tyseley to Bordesley Jn on the GU. I haven't done the Rochdale above the 9 so perhaps this is worse than the Ashton and comparable with the GU? Also don't think going out of Manchester via the Bridgewater (either towards Sale or Worsley) is worse than the BCN new mainline or the Worcester & B'ham, the bit between Trafford Park & Worsley is a particularly interesting stretch.

 

Last year at Brades Jn on the old mainline I was harassed by a group of youths who wanted a ride on the boat. I politely said to them that I wasn't insured to carry passengers, but they wouldn't leave me alone and threatened to chuck stuff at the boat and went under the bridge to try and jump aboard (I turned round in the end as this was on a detour). Couple of years ago some lads threw a stone at the boat at Autherley Jn, again because I didn't want to give them a ride. I wasn't unpleasant towards them in either case before anyone thinks I provoked them. I know these are only two examples and others may have had similar problems in other cities, but so far I haven't experienced these kind of problems when going through Manchester.

 

I like the experience of cruising through both of these cities; one is the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution canal network, the other is the central hub. Does Manchester have an unfair reputation though and is some of the Birmingham network overrated?

Edited March 13 by Philip

[IanD]

2 minutes ago, Philip said:

There seems to be contrasting views between the experiences of cruising through Manchester & Birmingham; there is still a lingering negative perception of Manchester because of the Ashton & Rochdale Canals, even though a lot of the 'horror stories' date back to the 80s and the Ashton especially has greatly improved since then. Birmingham on the other hand tends to be thought of favourably, even with a bit of rose-tinted press, perhaps because it is the centre of the network and the many miles of canals it has. 

 

I do think the scene around Gas Street Basin beats Castlefield hands down, and Farmers Bridge is a lot more pleasant to work through than the Rochdale 9, but aside from these, is the perception towards Manchester a little unfair nowadays and vice versa does the Birmingham canal network get a rather cushy press?

 

I've done both the Ashton and the run into Birmingham via the Grand Union and in my opinion the Ashton is a far more pleasant experience throughout; don't think I've experienced a more unpleasant stretch of waterway than Tyseley to Bordesley Jn on the GU. I haven't done the Rochdale above the 9 so perhaps this is worse than the Ashton and comparable with the GU? Also don't think going out of Manchester via the Bridgewater (either towards Sale or Worsley) is worse the BCN new mainline or the Worcester & B'ham, the bit between Trafford Park & Worsley is a particularly interesting stretch.

 

Last year at Brades Jn on the old mainline I was harassed by a group of youths who wanted a ride on the boat. I politely said to them that I wasn't insured to carry passengers, but they wouldn't leave me alone and threatened to chuck stuff at the boat and went under the bridge to try and jump aboard (I turned round in the end as this was on a detour). Couple of years ago some lads threw a stone at the boat at Autherley Jn, again because I didn't want to give them a ride. I wasn't unpleasant towards them in either case before anyone thinks I provoked them. I know these are only two examples and others may have had similar problems in other cities, but so far I haven't experienced these kind of problems when going through Manchester.

 

I like the experience of cruising through both of these cities; one is the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution canal network, the other is the central hub. Does Manchester have an unfair reputation though and is some of the Birmingham network overrated?

 

A lot of the complaints about Manchester -- and the negative comparisons with Birmingham -- are about lack of safe and pleasant moorings, not travelling on the canals. Like a lot of urban canals both have scuzzy stretches that are not nice to go through, but at least in Birmingham there's a much bigger chance of finding somewhere decent to stop afterwards.

[Arthur Marshall]

I don't think you can judge any place by the bad behaviour of a few kids. It's a whole lot better everywhere than it was years ago (thirty years ago a friend went through Manchester with a shotgun on the roof...), and you get the odd occasional bit of vandalism anywhere, even in the middle of nowhere.

I went through Manchester about ten years ago, thought it pretty grotty and wouldn't do it again. I'll let you know about Birmingham when I've finally got there this June.

Edited March 13 by Arthur Marshall

[Cheshire cat]

I think Birmingham can rightly claim to be a destination with a reasonable amount of mooring space whereas Manchester is just a passage to somewhere else. 

 

The Bridgewater is OK until you get to Stretford cruising club and after that I wouldn't think of stopping until I got north of Picadilly station. It's OK around the apartments before you start the Ashton flight and handy enough for the northern quarter and city centre.. The Ashton flight itself is OK these days but there's not really any reason to stop.

[beerbeerbeerbeerbeer]

 

1 hour ago, Cheshire cat said:

think Birmingham can rightly claim to be a destination with a reasonable amount of mooring space whereas Manchester is just a passage to somewhere else

yes I think that’s the big difference,

because the canals in Brum are a destination they get plenty of footfall which makes them feel safe, 

and they’re more ‘open’, 

Im thinking around the Sea Life Center, the Arena, Brindley Place, Gas Street and so on

the canal through Manchester is used as a passage and is mainly out of the public eye, it’s quite hidden in places and can feel ‘closed in’ attracting some dodgy goings on which makes it feel less safe,

 

kids chucking stones and getting on the boat can happen anywhere, 

but nowhere gives me the shudders like Cov and Nuneaton,

 

 

[pearley]

I was only thinking yesterday how much the Ashton has changed, for the better over the 16 years since Joanie M was launched in Worsley.

 

The extension if the tram system is, to some extent responsible for this but not solely.

 

The Eithiad Stadium and the Sports Centre opposite, the large Asda, the Velodrome, the Man City training ground, the Police Training Centre, have all changed the canal for the better.

 

In my opinion.

Edited March 14 by pearley

[ditchcrawler]

27 minutes ago, pearley said:

I was only thinking yesterday how much the Ashton has changed, for the better over the 16 years since Joanie M was launched in Worsley.

 

 

Not like when you had a BWB escort 

[Philip]

How would people rate the different canal routes out of Birmingham & Manchester?

 

So for Birmingham: 

 

Grand Union

B'ham new mainline

Old mainline 

Birmingham & Fazeley (via Aston or Garrison)

Tame Valley

Worcester & B'ham

 

Manchester:

 

Bridgewater to Worsley 

" " Altrincham 

Rochdale 

Ashton

Manchester Ship Canal

 

[Mike Todd]

23 hours ago, IanD said:

 

A lot of the complaints about Manchester -- and the negative comparisons with Birmingham -- are about lack of safe and pleasant moorings, not travelling on the canals. Like a lot of urban canals both have scuzzy stretches that are not nice to go through, but at least in Birmingham there's a much bigger chance of finding somewhere decent to stop afterwards.

o n the BCN there are very few places where I could not moor - in Manchester there are similarly few places where I can moor.

[PeterScott]

 

 

I thought the extensive graffiti all the way up Aston flight yesterday was worse than before, and discouraging to new visitors to Birmingham

[Cheshire cat]

15 hours ago, Philip said:

How would people rate the different canal routes out of Birmingham & Manchester?

 

So for Birmingham: 

 

Grand Union

B'ham new mainline

Old mainline 

Birmingham & Fazeley (via Aston or Garrison)

Tame Valley

Worcester & B'ham

 

Manchester:

 

Bridgewater to Worsley 

" " Altrincham 

Rochdale 

Ashton

Manchester Ship Canal

 

In what way do you want them rating?

 

Birmingham & Fazeley is out usual route. The drug dealers and users are pleasant enough. Never had any issues but we've never moored before we got to the countryside. 

The Bridgewater to Worsley or Altrincham is safe enough and deep and wide. The Ashton is a far pleasanter experience than it was 20 years ago. All of the industry has gone and much of the deprivation swept away. I've never tried the Rochdale  apart from the city centre locks so best for others to comment

[David Mack]

1 hour ago, Cheshire cat said:

I've never tried the Rochdale  apart from the city centre locks so best for others to comment

It's urban/suburban, but pretty green. The redevelopment up as far as New Islington has gentrified the surroundings, beyond that the 1970s housing (which preserved the canal route through the infamous, and award winning at the time, shallowing scheme) is now being replaced and the area doesn't feel as rough as it once did. There are plenty of people using the towpath; most will ignore you, a few show curiosity about boats and locks and how they work - the locals don't see many boats through here. You will find kids hanging around, but I have always found them quite well mannered and happy to move out of your way if you ask nicely.

The locks can be heavy, and suffer the usual problems of lack of use. But it's all doable, the main issue is simply the number of locks!

[Grassman]

For me, Birmingham is better by a long chalk. No matter what time you arrive you're pretty certain of finding somewhere to over-night. Not so with Manchester especially since they've turned some of the VM's into permanent moorings. Birmingham seems to encourage visiting boaters where as Manchester doesn't.

[Machpoint005]

Comparison between Manchester and Birmingham?

 

One is a world class city with two world class football clubs.

 

The other is Birmingham.

 

 

 

 

[IanD]

5 minutes ago, Machpoint005 said:

Comparison between Manchester and Birmingham?

 

One is a world class city with two world class football clubs.

 

The other is Birmingham.

 

Two world-class football clubs eh? Sounds like a good reason to stay away to me... 😉

[Laurie Booth]

On 13/03/2024 at 15:13, beerbeerbeerbeerbeer said:

but nowhere gives me the shudders like Cov and Nuneaton,

 

 

We love mooring at Nuneaton. "Love Petes" is the best English takeaway I have ever found. 

https://lovepetes.co.uk/fish-and-chips-in-nuneaton/

[beerbeerbeerbeerbeer]

45 minutes ago, Laurie Booth said:

We love mooring at Nuneaton. "Love Petes" is the best English takeaway I have ever found. 

https://lovepetes.co.uk/fish-and-chips-in-nuneaton/

you can come ride shot gun for me, 

I’ve never moored anywhere between Hartshill and Sutton Stop or anywhere passed Sutton Stop on the Cov. 
where do you moor?

 

I occasionally stop for the Polish Shop in Nuneaton but I’m soon on my way after getting my shopping. 

 

When kids we used to go Toppers for fish and chips. Dunno if it’s still going. 

Edited March 18 by beerbeerbeerbeerbeer

[ditchcrawler]

I quite like Coventry and recently have seen boats moored on the way to the basin, Not sure about being near the stadium on match day, but they all looked like family groups going. We also often moor overnight  just the Hawkesbury side of that big new warehouse, or in Nuneaton opposite the park area near the house with a mural on the towpath wall  

[beerbeerbeerbeerbeer]

I’ll have to face up to Cov one day. Each time I head that way I chicken out and turn off down the Oxford or Ashby. 
I think I’d rather face going up to Failsworth and Rochdale. 
 

 

[Machpoint005]

4 hours ago, IanD said:

Two world-class football clubs eh? Sounds like a good reason to stay away to me... 😉

 

We'll try to get over living without you.

 

 

I must admit I'd rather go to Edgeley Park though.

 

 

[Captain Pegg]

3 hours ago, beerbeerbeerbeerbeer said:

I’ll have to face up to Cov one day. Each time I head that way I chicken out and turn off down the Oxford or Ashby. 
I think I’d rather face going up to Failsworth and Rochdale. 
 

 

I find it strange that someone who avidly boats to all corners of the BCN worries about Coventry and Nuneaton. And if you worry about them you should really fear Bedworth.

[Laurie Booth]

10 hours ago, beerbeerbeerbeerbeer said:

you can come ride shot gun for me, 

I’ve never moored anywhere between Hartshill and Sutton Stop or anywhere passed Sutton Stop on the Cov. 
where do you moor?

 

I occasionally stop for the Polish Shop in Nuneaton but I’m soon on my way after getting my shopping. 

 

When kids we used to go Toppers for fish and chips. Dunno if it’s still going. 

We moor near the winding hole, there is a Polish shop there, I assume that is the location you stop at for supplies. We love Coventry Basin to moor at.

 

[mrsmelly]

18 hours ago, beerbeerbeerbeerbeer said:

I’ll have to face up to Cov one day. Each time I head that way I chicken out and turn off down the Oxford or Ashby. 
I think I’d rather face going up to Failsworth and Rochdale. 
 

 

Manchester as any fool knows is a dump. The missus and I used to run a pub in Failsworth on holiday relief a few years ago, we wore crash helmets behind the bar 😉 running a pub in such places is not for the faint hearted lol.

[BilgePump]

36 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:

Manchester as any fool knows is a dump. The missus and I used to run a pub in Failsworth on holiday relief a few years ago, we wore crash helmets behind the bar 😉 running a pub in such places is not for the faint hearted lol.

Go on, enlighten us as to which one it was

[ditchcrawler]

1 hour ago, Laurie Booth said:

We moor near the winding hole, there is a Polish shop there, I assume that is the location you stop at for supplies. We love Coventry Basin to moor at.

 

Portuguese cakes, a Polish shop for fish and breakfast at Playwrights