Chasewater Reservoir

[Heartland]

Local BBC Radio in Birmingham has announced that Chasewater Reservoir is now (19th April) up to full capacity, which no doubt be good news for waterway users

 

Ray Shill

[Midnight Rider]

I think that it has been for some time now. A year ago there was a nice 'beach' to walk the dog along. No chance now.

[Derek R.]

Forgotten where I read it now, but during 2011 the Environmental Agency put up NO red board warning signs on it navigations.

During 2012, it put up over 3,200.

[lydfordcastle]

I think that it has been for some time now. A year ago there was a nice 'beach' to walk the dog along. No chance now.

 

I have a clear childhood recollection (late 40's early 50's) of being marched across Brownhills Common (replete with narrow gauge railway tracks) carrying deck-chairs and buckets and spades to a small sandy beach in a corner of Chasewater where we spent hot Sunday afternoons building sandcastles and swimming. I have an idea that it was on the side of the pool opposite to Hednesford Road. Happy times and a lot cheaper than a train trip to Rhyl.

[Midnight Rider]

I have a clear childhood recollection (late 40's early 50's) of being marched across Brownhills Common (replete with narrow gauge railway tracks) carrying deck-chairs and buckets and spades to a small sandy beach in a corner of Chasewater where we spent hot Sunday afternoons building sandcastles and swimming. I have an idea that it was on the side of the pool opposite to Hednesford Road. Happy times and a lot cheaper than a train trip to Rhyl.

Yes, you should have come down last year, it would have been like old times. And we still have the steam railway.

[Heartland]

Most of the railways around Chasewater were standard gauge, and of course the Chasewater Railway has maintained the tradition of the former colliery lines/ Midland Railway branch. But there were also NCB licensed pits and one near the A5 had narrow gauge track ad pit tubs. Much earlier there was a tramway from an engine house near Watling Street to the end of the Slough Arm, which Bertram Baxter suggested might have been on stone blocks, if I recall.

 

Ray Shill