Whaley Bridge (Peak Forest Canal) CRT Services

[JoeC]

The CRT have closed the toilet and removed the rubbish and recycling from the services at Whaley Bridge on the Peak Forest Canal. This leave the Elsan and water tap.

However, Bugsworth Basin just down the way has Elsan, water, rubbish and recycling. The toilet there has also closed.

[David Schweizer]

Loosing the toilet facilities at Whaley Bridge is no loss. The last time we were there, they were so disgusting that no boater would have ever tried to use them.

[Steve Bassplayer]

Is it down to the C&RT trustees? I think they agreed a policy which meant facilities got shut down (to save money) if a boater could get to the next set of facilities within a days cruising. 
 

From the C&RT board of trustees committee..

 

”How long a day's cruise would take will vary depending on the speed of travel, and could be affected by weather or other factors. Rather than be specific, we're proposing that this would normally be between 5-7 hours cruising”

Unfortunately I’m not sure if they allowed for freezing weather, poor maintenance and ‘vandalism’ etc

 

[David Mack]

6 hours ago, JoeC said:

The toilet there has also closed.

CRT closed all sanitary station toilets and showers last year.

[Tim Lewis]

8 hours ago, David Mack said:

CRT closed all sanitary station toilets and showers last year.

Not all, the one at Old Ford lock on the Regebts only closed last week

 

[JoeC]

11 hours ago, David Mack said:

CRT closed all sanitary station toilets and showers last year.

Whaley and Buggy toilets only closed in the past couple of months, if less.

[Ewan123]

14 hours ago, David Schweizer said:

Loosing the toilet facilities at Whaley Bridge is no loss. The last time we were there, they were so disgusting that no boater would have ever tried to use them.

I used the toilet at Whaley a few weeks ago (must have been shortly before closing) and it was fine. I was only using it because I wasn't there on my boat though, just passing through! I don't mind losing toilets personally. 

 

17 hours ago, JoeC said:

The CRT have closed the toilet and removed the rubbish and recycling from the services at Whaley Bridge on the Peak Forest Canal. This leave the Elsan and water tap.

However, Bugsworth Basin just down the way has Elsan, water, rubbish and recycling. The toilet there has also closed.

 

I've honestly been surprised that two facilities providing the same services have been maintained in such close proximity to each other at all, it's only 30 minutes at most from one to the other. 

[Jen-in-Wellies]

9 hours ago, Tim Lewis said:

Not all, the one at Old Ford lock on the Regebts only closed last week

 

Others are also open, if there are non boater groups using them. Eg Tinsley loos survived for the CaRT volunteers and a charity for people with learning difficulties who are based there. Froghall wharf loos survived as it is the loos for the tea room in the old warehouse. 

[David Mack]

What CRT have said:

 

"From 3 November 2025, all showers, public toilets, and other non-essential facilities are closed. As part of this change, Canal & River Trust will no longer service CSF buildings that house facilities outside of the essential provision. Essential facilities within CSF buildings will remain accessible. Boaters and user groups were offered the opportunity to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to lease and maintain existing CSF buildings that include toilets and showers on a long-term basis. A number of these EOIs are being progressed."

 

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boating/boating-news-and-views/boating-news/customer-services-facilities-policy

[gatekrash]

1 hour ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

Others are also open, if there are non boater groups using them. Eg Tinsley loos survived for the CaRT volunteers and a charity for people with learning difficulties who are based there. Froghall wharf loos survived as it is the loos for the tea room in the old warehouse. 

And the ones at park lane services up the Caldon were still open, mainly cos the CRT owned lock (not the boater lock) had been broken off by someone so the door was open...