Singlehanding through Birmingham

[Arthur Marshall]

I've done most of my boating on my tod, and have never quite had the nerve to tackle Birmingham! Reading one of the other threads, someone mentioned a Delph/Stourton route as being easier for a singlehander. As I quite fancy he idea of going through there this year (it seems a shame to miss it out and I may not have many years boating left in me), any advice as to routes, moorings, overnight stops etc would be more than welcome. I'm not bothered about pubs as for various reasons my alcohol intake is now more or less zero...

[dave moore]

I've done most of my boating on my tod, and have never quite had the nerve to tackle Birmingham! Reading one of the other threads, someone mentioned a Delph/Stourton route as being easier for a singlehander. As I quite fancy he idea of going through there this year (it seems a shame to miss it out and I may not have many years boating left in me), any advice as to routes, moorings, overnight stops etc would be more than welcome. I'm not bothered about pubs as for various reasons my alcohol intake is now more or less zero...

 

 

Hi Arthur

I'm a long time boater living near Delph. I know the bCN well. PM me for a contact number, I'm happy to talk.

 

Cheers

 

Dave

[nicknorman]

I think it depends on what your concerns are. Since you mention B'ham particularly, perhaps it's the security issue of being on your own in a flight of locks with potential trouble on the towpath?

 

However in our experience the main routes into Birmingham are not a problem from this point of view. Coming in from the B'ham and Fazeley, which we have done many times, there has never been a problem with the Aston or Farmers Bridge flights. Central Brum is fine for overnight mooring - in fact so popular in the summer that finding a space can be difficult. We have never had a problem with the Wolverhampton flight but it has a slightly less good reputation than Farmer's Bridge. I wouldn't recommend night stopping in Wolverhampton at the top lock, although there are some reasonably secure moorings by the CaRT services. Coming in via Stourbridge and Delph we have not had a problem ourselves, but it does seem to suffer from more kids hanging around than the other routes. As always, 99% of the kids are fine, provided you engage with them.

 

Coming in via Camp Hill is the least pleasant way into Brum, but even that is not too bad.

 

In terms of the locks themselves, the Aston and Farmers Bridge flights, whilst being a lot of locks, are made easier by being all very close together, so for example it's fairly easy to prepare the next lock before leaving the current lock. Wolverhampton locks are close together in places, but do spread out towards the bottom.

[barroca grande]

I finally girded my loins and 'did' Birmingham this summer. Tiring 7 hour stretch from top of 19 lapworth flight as no where to stop safely until I got to gas street. Entertaining evening there as people wanted their photographs taken with the boat and wanted to know how much to hire it. (I pointed them in the right direction) culminating with someone either banging very loudly at 10pm against the side of my boat intentionally or they fell in! The towpath made a convenient v gap between boat and edge. Next day I continued to Wolverhampton flight where I was involved in a mild way with the lads that had been terrorising the flight. Advice I would give as a solo boater is

 

do not leave the boat open at all if you plan to set locks ahead as these lads liked to put your boat in gear and run away. I appreciate that if you have a cruiser or semi trad stern it might not be possible to lock away your control lever like I can on a trad. But if you can stop them interfering with it then do so. Or get a friend to join you.

 

It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be and I would have liked to stay longer but I was on a mission. I will go back someday.

[pearley]

Never had any problems around Birmingham. Moored by the Pump House at the top of Titford Locks at present.

 

If you are thinking of coming soon, don't forget Netherton Tunnel closed until 8 March which cuts Delph off from this side.

 

Regards

Pete

[RLWP]

I finally girded my loins and 'did' Birmingham this summer. Tiring 7 hour stretch from top of 19 lapworth flight as no where to stop safely until I got to gas street.

 

<snip>

 

Who told you that!

 

Richard

[nicknorman]

It is perhaps not the best time of year to "do" Brum if you are concerned. Short days / long nights, and relatively few other boats can make one feel slightly more exposed. It feels much better in spring/summer/autumn.

[Victor Vectis]

Who told you that!

 

Probably the pillock in the house with the 'No Mooring' notices on it. Anyone else had a run in with him?

 

That's the one on the towpath side between the top lock and the first lift bridge.

 

Come to think of it, Libby noticed one of them had gone when we passed by at the weekend.

[LoneWolf]

Who told you that!

 

Richard

 

Not me! there's loads of good (and cat suitable) places to stop between Dickens Heath & the top of lapworth. There's also that bit opposite the uni at Edgbaston.

 

The Stratford is the easiest approach to Brum I think, it's the other side that needs long days - I did Stourbridge & Delph in one day which was pretty knackering (luckily Merryhill is ok to stop at) on the way back I detoured to Windmill End junct which is fine for mooring & did from there to the Shroppie via Wolverhampton in one (very long) day.

 

Probably the pillock in the house with the 'No Mooring' notices on it. Anyone else had a run in with him?

 

That's the one on the towpath side between the top lock and the first lift bridge.

 

Come to think of it, Libby noticed one of them had gone when we passed by at the weekend.

 

lol! i did that lock early morning & after setting the lock clanked my windlass to the ground & went back to the boat & he shot out of the house to check his car

[luctor et emergo]

Has anybody tried to bring an old windlass or two, and ask the kids to give you a hand? Most are bored, and probably wouldn't mind. And if they help you up/down a flight, a small consideration is not out of place. Called it a bribe if you want, but if I can pay a few kids a tenner or two, to help me up something like the Caen Hill flight (3.5 hours minimal), I think that is money well spend.

A relevant example: the bottom lock in Bath has regularly a bunch of down and outs hanging around it. Obviously I don't like to leave my boat unattended, even if that may be unfair and prejudiced. They do get involved, asking questions, and often enough starting to work the gates... I could get in a flap, or use it to my advantage. If I'm going down onto the river, closing the gates means an awkward left turn (68.6 boat ) to try and moor agains a high bank downstream, and walking back round to the lock. Or, I thank the down and out who's helping me, give him a quid( or two if I'm flush) for a coffee, and ask him to close the gates behind me. Job done, and all around are happy..

 

 

Or, to use the words of General Maxwell D. Taylor of the 101st Airborne Division, when handing the advance of the Irish Guards over to the 82nd Airborne Division during the advance towards Nijmegen, "they are good soldiers, the 82nd, but keep your hand on your wallet at all times"

[barroca grande]

RWLP re 7 hour trip from Lapworth.

 

I moored at the top of the flight overnight no problem and then intended to moor at Cadbury World but when I got there I found there was a burnt out boat at one end and the space at the other end was not long enough so my bows would have been well beyond the gates. In view of the burnt out boat I felt that this was not a good idea so had to carry on. So sorry if I have offended anyone who feels I should have risked it.

[john6767]

RWLP re 7 hour trip from Lapworth.

 

I moored at the top of the flight overnight no problem and then intended to moor at Cadbury World but when I got there I found there was a burnt out boat at one end and the space at the other end was not long enough so my bows would have been well beyond the gates. In view of the burnt out boat I felt that this was not a good idea so had to carry on. So sorry if I have offended anyone who feels I should have risked it.

 

I am with you on that, I would not have fancied mooring there either under that circumstances, but surprised it took you 7 hours though.

 

You can of course start your run to Birmingham from a lot nearer than the top of Lapworth, but appreciate that was not your original plan in this instance. Dickens Heath is well used as a stopping point, and I would say for most people Shirley Lift Bridge makes probably the last place to stop on the North Stratford on the approach to Birmingham.

 

 

[RLWP]

RWLP re 7 hour trip from Lapworth.

 

I moored at the top of the flight overnight no problem and then intended to moor at Cadbury World but when I got there I found there was a burnt out boat at one end and the space at the other end was not long enough so my bows would have been well beyond the gates. In view of the burnt out boat I felt that this was not a good idea so had to carry on. So sorry if I have offended anyone who feels I should have risked it.

 

That makes sense.

 

There seems to be a strongly held belief amongst local moorers that proceeding beyond Hockley Heath (or Wearings Green going t'other way) should only be done with armed escorts and that you should never stop before Gas St

 

I like to take any opportunity I can to challenge that

 

Richard

[matty40s]

I am with you on that, I would not have fancied mooring there either under that circumstances, but surprised it took you 7 hours though.

 

You can of course start your run to Birmingham from a lot nearer than the top of Lapworth, but appreciate that was not your original plan in this instance. Dickens Heath is well used as a stopping point, and I would say for most people Shirley Lift Bridge makes probably the last place to stop on the North Stratford on the approach to Birmingham.

Kings Norton Junction was OK when I stopped there on the way out of Brum, good mooring, shops just up the hill.

[system 4-50]

Has anybody tried to bring an old windlass or two, and ask the kids to give you a hand? Most are bored, and probably wouldn't mind. And if they help you up/down a flight, a small consideration is not out of place. Called it a bribe if you want, but if I can pay a few kids a tenner or two, to help me up something like the Caen Hill flight (3.5 hours minimal), I think that is money well spend.

A relevant example: the bottom lock in Bath has regularly a bunch of down and outs hanging around it. Obviously I don't like to leave my boat unattended, even if that may be unfair and prejudiced. They do get involved, asking questions, and often enough starting to work the gates... I could get in a flap, or use it to my advantage. If I'm going down onto the river, closing the gates means an awkward left turn (68.6 boat ) to try and moor agains a high bank downstream, and walking back round to the lock. Or, I thank the down and out who's helping me, give him a quid( or two if I'm flush) for a coffee, and ask him to close the gates behind me. Job done, and all around are happy..

 

 

Or, to use the words of General Maxwell D. Taylor of the 101st Airborne Division, when handing the advance of the Irish Guards over to the 82nd Airborne Division during the advance towards Nijmegen, "they are good soldiers, the 82nd, but keep your hand on your wallet at all times"

Do you expect to get the old windlass back? Or are you just arming the natives?

[john6767]

Kings Norton Junction was OK when I stopped there on the way out of Brum, good mooring, shops just up the hill.

 

Agreed there are other places to stop, like opposite Lyons boatyard as well, these are not the badlands, and I am certainly not one for promoting that view! I was just looking at what the majority of people would probably be happy with if they don't like mooring in urban areas. Shirley lift Bridge is according to CanalPlan 9.61 miles from Gas St., so say 3.5 hours unless you have a deep drafted boat!

 

 

 

[nicknorman]

Do you expect to get the old windlass back? Or are you just arming the natives?

If you treat other people, including youngsters, with respect, they normally respond in kind. If you assume they are criminals and treat them as such, they probably won't disappoint you.

[luctor et emergo]

Do you expect to get the old windlass back? Or are you just arming the natives?

 

 

so far I have had my spare windlass returned.

[Dave_P]

That makes sense.

 

There seems to be a strongly held belief amongst local moorers that proceeding beyond Hockley Heath (or Wearings Green going t'other way) should only be done with armed escorts and that you should never stop before Gas St

 

I like to take any opportunity I can to challenge that

 

Richard

 

Good on you! Would these be local moorers who've never actually done the trip? As most other posters here have pointed out, there's lots of mooring places.

 

Starting from my favourite mooring place outside that aforementioned tw*t's house, there's swallow cruisers, james goldsborough, lady lane at earlswood, dickens heath, shirley drawbridge, by bridge 5, lyon's boatyard, kings norton junction, cadbury world, selly oak, and the vale at edgbaston.

 

The only ones i'd be little concerned about would be kings norton and selly oak where there has been some trouble from time to time.

 

If you want an unpleasant approach to a city try going into manchester by the rochdale or the ashton.

[benfordboy]

Has anybody tried to bring an old windlass or two, and ask the kids to give you a hand? Most are bored, and probably wouldn't mind.

 

 

 

Pretty much sums our trip after the delph flight down back to the Staffs - We found a few latchkey lads who found it odd to see a cruiser coming down the cut (Not to best the comments on Farmers Bridge flight by some local girls - "You cant bring that up here its a speedboat !") All were happy to assist the locks and have a chat etc - Some did say that they threw stones at some of the "Snobs on the barges!" - As I always say , pays to talk to the local kids rather than ignore em, so far we have pretty much avoided trouble.

 

As Luctor - we have (So far) got the old tatty windlass back!

[John Holden]

 

If you want an unpleasant approach to a city try going into manchester by the rochdale or the ashton.

 

What's unpleasant about them? The Ashton may have been rough when it reopened 30 years ago but that was then.

The Rochdale is no worse than any other suburban waterway.

[Arthur Marshall]

It is perhaps not the best time of year to "do" Brum if you are concerned. Short days / long nights, and relatively few other boats can make one feel slightly more exposed. It feels much better in spring/summer/autumn.

It's a summer project - I just like thinking about boating when I can't actually boat!

[benfordboy]

What's unpleasant about them? The Ashton may have been rough when it reopened 30 years ago but that was then.

The Rochdale is no worse than any other suburban waterway.

 

Agreed - Last yr No problems apart from too many bags on the prop thru Rochdale ! We even flaunted the advice of setting off up the Ashton after 10am !!! The worse problem apart from the antivandle locks ? Youths & others stopping us for pics & a chat

 

30yrs ago on the Ashton I can comment on !!!!! We came down from the Peak forest during the Riots of 1981 !!!!! , I remember Dad talking to a policeman under a bridge who was in tears as his buddy had been stabbed the night before & was in a critical condition. We made the Rochdale 9 (The only bit of the Rochdale open then) to find it locked (We missed the time by about 20mins) I recall Dad ringing the Charity? Number & the lockie appearing within 15mins, he locked us down the whole flight as quickly as possible (There had been big problems with boats in the area during the riots) Dad tried to give him £20 For his help to which he wouldnt take IIRC insisting we put it in the donation box for the restoration of the rest of the cut to which we did.

 

Last years trip was the first time I had returned - Far better !!!

[Dave_P]

What's unpleasant about them? The Ashton may have been rough when it reopened 30 years ago but that was then.

The Rochdale is no worse than any other suburban waterway.

 

Kids trying to get on your boat repeatedly, obvious drug-dealing on and under bridges, very low pounds, prop fouls, vandalism to locks. By comparison, all the suburban waterways around Birmingham are better. BW/CaRT have systems such as early starts on the Ashton and booked passage on the Rochdale precisely because they're aware of the issues.

[John Holden]

Kids trying to get on your boat repeatedly, obvious drug-dealing on and under bridges, very low pounds, prop fouls, vandalism to locks. By comparison, all the suburban waterways around Birmingham are better. BW/CaRT have systems such as early starts on the Ashton and booked passage on the Rochdale precisely because they're aware of the issues.

 

Admittedly it was few years ago but the last time I went up the 21 in Wolverhampton we had kids jumping on and off the boat! They weren't any problem though. The front cabin doors were closed so they couldn't get in the boat, though I must say they showed no inclination to.

 

I frequently walk up the Manchester section of the Rochdale and apart from bumming cigarettes the trolls are no problem whatsoever - if you think about it, drug dealers are not going to want to draw attention to themselves are they?