Chester to River Dee link

[Sven_8t4]

Hi all,

 

Went for a walk down by Telfords warehouse and the basin in Chester yesterday while the car was getting MOT'd.

 

It got me thinking...... When are BW going to pull their finger out and reopen the link to the river? seems like years since the lok where working.

 

Also does anyone know what they are building on the patch of land between the locks by the river and 'the cop'.

 

 

Cheers Sven ;o)

[journeyperson]

That's a coincidence; I was in Chester yesterday - moored at the Cheshire Cat and got the bus into town, but I was looking at those locks on the map and was wondering what were the chances of them being restored?

[johnjo]

Hi all,

 

Went for a walk down by Telfords warehouse and the basin in Chester yesterday while the car was getting MOT'd.

 

It got me thinking...... When are BW going to pull their finger out and reopen the link to the river? seems like years since the lok where working.

 

Also does anyone know what they are building on the patch of land between the locks by the river and 'the cop'.

 

 

Cheers Sven ;o)

 

It is years, we were there in 2007 and it had apparently been closed for more than a year then. As to info when it will reopen, sorry, I've no idea.

 

There's a nice crossover bridge down there too, haven't seen many of those.

 

The lockgates behind the drydock were ready to fall apart then, 2007, God knows what state they are in now!

Edited May 10, 2009 by johnjo

[Hairy-Neil]

The lockgates behind the drydock were ready to fall apart then, 2007, God knows what state they are in now!

 

The bottom end was regated over the winter, 07 - 08.

 

More to the point, when are they going to reopen the drydock..... closed for health and safety reasons.....

[lemontoes]

What doesn't make sense to me is that not long before I left Chester.....5ish years ago......I lot of time and money had been spent excavating part of the old canal. To then let the lock and drydock fall into disrepair beggars belief. By the way does anyone know what is happening with the boatyard?

[kendo50]

What doesn't make sense to me is that not long before I left Chester.....5ish years ago......I lot of time and money had been spent excavating part of the old canal. To then let the lock and drydock fall into disrepair beggars belief. By the way does anyone know what is happening with the boatyard?

 

hi with regards the boatyard it was called WILLIAMS boatyard but it has recently been put on the market to let.

[lemontoes]

hi with regards the boatyard it was called WILLIAMS boatyard but it has recently been put on the market to let.

 

It was called Taylor's boatyard, and Dave Jones was the boatbuilder there when I was in Chester. That was some time ago so it may have changed. There was an article by Tony Lewery in Canaljunction last year which I'm sure still calls it Taylor's.

[kendo50]

It was called Taylor's boatyard, and Dave Jones was the boatbuilder there when I was in Chester. That was some time ago so it may have changed. There was an article by Tony Lewery in Canaljunction last year which I'm sure still calls it Taylor's.

 

sorry your right it's taylors i don't know what possesed me to put williams i only live 100 yards away

[lemontoes]

If you hadn't got it wrong, I wouldn't have chance to get it right ....... and according to my children I'm not usually right about anything ...... so thankyou! :lol:

Edited June 25, 2009 by lemontoes

[Sven_8t4]

The Dry dock at the basin (is it still used?)

I guess not then!

The workshops, still seems to have things going on.

Interesting Plaque

Nice little bridge into another basin with building works that seem to have been going on for years!!!!

 

 

More Pictures To Follow ( When it will let me )

[Sven_8t4]

After all the work thats been done down in the old port and Earl's port seems a shame that there are no boats down here

I dont even think you'd get a boat in here now.... or if you did you would be roping it out.

Finally the link to the river.......... need i say more......

Not sure what BW are building here but hasnt changed in a few months.

 

Well thats the end of my little trip, if anyone can throw any light on any of it I'd be gratefull.

[Sven_8t4]

Having a bit of a nosey around the planning departments website today to see if I could shed some light on the above building works. All i could find was this........

 

Summary

 

Description: POST DN CORRESPONDENCE

Address: TILSTONS YARD, NEW CRANE STREET, CHESTER CH1

Application No: 03/562/FUL

Online Ref: 0

Date Opened: 20 May 2009

Status: unknown

 

Seems whatever they have started building they haven't submitted any plans for yet.....

[Sven_8t4]

Just been looking around the web for more info on the above topic as one day I'd like to do this stretch. Managed to find this Clicky which must be about the last time it was done although I remember another boat doing it ( the 'Jubilee' possibly) and getting stuck on the weir?

 

Anyone shed any light?

[Sven_8t4]

No one?

[hmallett]

As Neil says, the bottom was regated relatively recently. They took their time doing it too, though there was hardly a reason to rush...

It's a shame, as the dry dock, the old basin and the river link would be much brighter if they were tidied up and used regularly.

I drive over the bottom lock twice every weekday, and have done for a few years. I've never seen a boat in the earl's port section.

Interestingly there's no mention of any stoppages on waterscape for the river link, and the boaters guide simply says that they need 48 hours notice for using the lock.

The other day I did see what looked like a BW person gazing at the lock from the road, with lifejacket on and a handheld computer...

[hmallett]

Just to respond to my own post...

 

I passed by here in the car yesterday, and there's a "To Let" sign outside Taylor's Boatyard.

The agent's website (http://www.bacommercial.com) has it listed as:

 

Address: Taylors Boatyard & Dry Dock, Upper Cambrian Road, CHESTER

Description: On instruction of British Waterways. A unique opportunity to secure historic canalside business premsies, including various covered areas and workshop buildings, including dry dock facility. (TJC)

Tenure: NL

Price/Rent: Offers invited.

[MartinClark]

Just been looking around the web for more info on the above topic as one day I'd like to do this stretch. Managed to find this Clicky which must be about the last time it was done

 

About 3 months later (July 2004), Ocean Princess came back in via the Dee Locks Branch on the way back from Scotland.

See photos towards the bottom of this linky.

 

 

Some of the trip boats on the Dee used to go up to the dry dock for work to be carried out. I witnessed one coming back over the weir on a high tide. That was also in 2004 but I don't know whether any of them has made the journey since then.

[carlt]

Just to respond to my own post...

 

I passed by here in the car yesterday, and there's a "To Let" sign outside Taylor's Boatyard.

The agent's website (http://www.bacommercial.com) has it listed as:

 

Address: Taylors Boatyard & Dry Dock, Upper Cambrian Road, CHESTER

Description: On instruction of British Waterways. A unique opportunity to secure historic canalside business premsies, including various covered areas and workshop buildings, including dry dock facility. (TJC)

Tenure: NL

Price/Rent: Offers invited.

If only I could persuade Swmbo to leave this horrible little town....

[hmallett]

If only I could persuade Swmbo to leave this horrible little town....

It would be nice to see it brought back to life. Currently it just appears empty and derelict. Filling the area with boats and industry would be wonderful.

[carlt]

It would be nice to see it brought back to life. Currently it just appears empty and derelict. Filling the area with boats and industry would be wonderful.

Unfortunately I'd want the yard to go back to building these again............

 

 

...........so I don't think I'd be in business for very long.

[RobinJ]

[

Hang about, is that where they grow the bollards there putting on the locks?

[MartinClark]

A little piece about the proposed future of the boatyard in Chester has appeared on Waterscape:

http://www.waterscape.com/features-and-art...-canal-boatyard

 

"Historic city waterway feature Taylor's Boatyard is looking to a bright new future under plans unveiled by its owners, British Waterways (BW).

BW is looking to partner the revival of the half acre site, located within Chester Canal Basin on the popular Shropshire Union Canal."

[snip]

"BW will ensure the site is sustainably restored, providing traditional boat craft and repair facilities on site. This will include provision of moorings adjacent to the premises and nearby on the canal."

[Speedwheel]

I have heard that a new tenant has taken over at Taylors. Anyone know who it is?

[lemontoes]

No idea, have friends that live in the area, I'll see if I can find out.

[Liam]

It has been rumoured that on a cost saving excercise the lock and the Dee will be closed, and the money will go towards the dredging between Chester and Ellesmere Port.