Major stoppage South Oxford Canal

[Nightwatch]

We are heading south towards South Oxford Canal. I have been told to hurry as there’s a long term major stoppage on the cards. Not in force yet, I assume a winter stoppage.

Anyone know anymore than this and can enlighten me please?

[IanM]

Can't see anything major planned before the end of October apart from the summit being closed overnight from 8pm to 6am until 21st September.

 

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices?page=1&tab=0&start=2024-08-28&end=2024-12-31&types=1&waterways=OX

 

 

Edited August 28, 2024 by IanM

[MtB]

News to me as well....

 

Maybe someone misread the overnight closures as full closures. I certainly did, first time I saw them! 

[hider]

Bridge 130 is scheduled to be demolished this winter, it is in a dangerous condition. I have no dates yet.

[MtB]

4 minutes ago, hider said:

Bridge 130 is scheduled to be demolished this winter, it is in a dangerous condition. I have no dates yet.

 

That's good. I passed through it the other week and was impressed enough by it's poor condition to take photos. It looks more alarming in real life than in the pics. 

 

 

 pics.

[Nightwatch]

That’s in a sorry state. Is it being replaced. I don’t need it, but a jolly local farmer may find it useful.

Edited August 28, 2024 by Nightwatch

[David Mack]

5 hours ago, Nightwatch said:

That’s in a sorry state. Is it being replaced. I don’t need it, but a jolly local farmer may find it useful.

It's probably a jolly local farmer's overweight equipment that has contributed to its sorry state!

[IanM]

Looking on Google maps and the image taken on top of the bridge, it’s not been used for a long time. 

[Stroudwater1]

1 hour ago, David Mack said:

It's probably a jolly local farmer's overweight equipment that has contributed to its sorry state!

I fear it’s damage from boaters tbh. I’ve seen a few boats go into the sides of bridges like that when suddenly stopping with oncoming boats appearing at the last minute 

[MtB]

I think its more likely subsidence. 
 

[MIKE P]

I think it was an earthquake

[hider]

Vandalism if CRT are to be believed.

[Kiwidad]

Fracking 😎

[matty40s]

No swearing here please.

[ditchcrawler]

If this topic runs long enough ther is bound to be a Major Stoppage, its only a matter of time.

[MtB]

Typical CRT over-reaction.

 

A bag of sand and cement from Wickes and an afternoon with a hawk and trowel would see that bridge good as new. 

 

 

[Nightwatch]

I know a little more. The stoppage is where HS2 crosses the canal not far from Fenny Compton. I seem to remember they have to close the canal to dismantle and build a bridge to accommodate the track. I remember, probably incorrectly, that it was only the tow path, but was informed just now that it’s the whole Summit for a few weeks.

I will call CRT tomorrow. Anyone cast further light on this please.

[roland elsdon]

Came through today. Typical boat damage or even vandalism ? Who else to blame.

Didnt wind up in case updraught blew the bridge apart.

 

[NB Alnwick]

They had better not stop it before I get home!

Edited to add the the HS2 Viaduct is already across.

Edited September 5, 2024 by NB Alnwick

[matty40s]

The bridge directly ahead is the construction road bridge, the new HS2 bridge will be beyond. You can see the (non-traditional) walls to the left.

 

This is taken looking right(NW) , the piling needs bashing down further, the bank building up behind, and a bridge sticking over.

 

The worker shouted that he didnt want his picture taking so I just shouted turn round then.

[john6767]

46 minutes ago, NB Alnwick said:

They had better not stop it before I get home!

Edited to add the the HS2 Viaduct is already across.

They have got on with it then, when we were there 3 weeks ago is was as Matty's photos just the construction bridge in place and the piers for the viaduct.  There was a big ass mobile crane being set up, presumably for lifting the viaduct decks.  Isn't the stoppage to navigation just overnights though?

[Nightwatch]

I looked at a map just now indicating that it’s just tow path. Until end of September 2025. I wouldn’t rule out the odd day here and there.

[NB Alnwick]

I find the whole HS2 business very worrying - huge sums are being paid to private contractors to move materials back and forward by road. There are parking lots full of expensive equipment that never appears to move and more than five years into the project I don't think they have laid any railway track.

By contrast when the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway built its extension to Marylebone (which was to become the Great Central Railway main line) in the 1890s, and, they completed the work in four years by using a temporary railway to move materials and equipment.

Sadly much of this superbly engineered railway was closed and abandoned in 1966 largely as a result of the politics of old rivalries. I say sadly because the Great Central main line that was built to connect Manchester and Sheffield with London and a proposed Chanel tunnel could so easily have performed the functions intended for HS2 (and more) without the expense or disruption that we are now seeing!

[roland elsdon]

Stopped Fenny at Fenny and went for a ride round our covid stomping ground, when we slummed in a rabbit hutch in newnham.

High speed horror has destroyed vast tracts around priors , wormleighton, and the like.

It was gods own country back in the late 80s.

Now its a complete mess.

Glad to sell up and head back overseas.

[sigsegv]

Cripes, and I'm hoping to spend winter on the South Oxford. At least if I'm south of Fenny, I'll be able to get serviced by the fuel boat