Macclesfield Canal

[notebook]

We have been cruising on the Macclesfield for a week now and was really looking forward to it, unfortunately we are very disappointed with the state of the tow paths. At the first lock u couldn't even see the bollards it was waist high with grasses/nettles and the soil was giving way. We were in luck tho as their was a C+RT worker so l told him.

The scenery may b nice but u can't moor up to enjoy it. Even at the designated moorings the grass/nettles/fern reaches the top of of the windows. We couldn't moor in Macclesfield due to state of tow path. There were contractors cutting the grass but it seems the norm to leave long grass to the edges?

Not until we reached Bollington were we able to have decent mooring, giving us a chance to look round.

We don't want manicured tow paths but these are ridiculous.

[comfortably numb]

These are the kind of tasks which are crying out for volunteers to do if only they could get more. As well as being beneficial to keep the tow path undergrowth in check, the use of volunteers for this would free CRT staff up to carry out more specialist types of maintenance such as the offside overgrowth.

[Señor Chris]

Buy a hand scythe and clear it yourself.

[notaminga]

Buy a hand scythe and clear it yourself.

I moored up earlier on a stretch where the vegetation was higher than the boat. it took me bout an hour to cut it all down with a sickle - very satisfying!

[PhilR]

I moored up earlier on a stretch where the vegetation was higher than the boat. it took me bout an hour to cut it all down with a sickle - very satisfying!

 

I suspect you are exaggerating a bit .......... unless you are in a rowing boat.

Generally, the Macc is in better condition now than it has been for anytime during the previous half century.

[Maffi]

These are the kind of tasks which are crying out for volunteers to do if only they could get more. As well as being beneficial to keep the tow path undergrowth in check, the use of volunteers for this would free CRT staff up to carry out more specialist types of maintenance such as the offside overgrowth.

I seem to have missed something here. Volunteers would free up CRT staff to carry out more specialist maintenance. Surely it it obvious from the OPs post that these tasks are not being done so what staff are going to be freed up?

[GoodGurl]

not been on the macc yet but will be in the next few weeks, this is the reason we carry a strimmer.

[Dignity]

Interesting,will hopefully be there in a months time,think I'll buy a scythe

[blodger]

not been on the macc yet but will be in the next few weeks, this is the reason we carry a strimmer.

 

To be fair to the contractors/CART they get hassle from some boaters for strimming near boats at the moorings but the run up and down with a lawn mower is usually followed up with some strimming eaither side. Growth is at its maximum and is endeavouring to flower/fruit at the moment.

When growth is left adjacent to my moored boat I usually get the shears out and lower it a bit. The boat ahead of me is using the nettle growth to protect his soft canopy and entrance I think so I have not extended too much beyond my boat.

[dor]

Don't C&RT have a new policy of leaving a strip unstrimmed next to the water except on visitor moorings? A sort of compromise between the environmental "leave it for the plants and wildlife" and boaters wanting to moor. I think there is a bit of discretion used, but the uncut strip next to the canal seems more common.

[mayalld]

 

I suspect you are exaggerating a bit .......... unless you are in a rowing boat.

Generally, the Macc is in better condition now than it has been for anytime during the previous half century.

 

No it isn't. The Macc is in a dreadful state, and everybody should stay away!

 

But seriously...

 

The Macc was built shallow, and as such it is often difficult to get close to the edge other than at recognised VMs, and as such mowing to the edge in places where people can't moor is a bit of a waste of resources.

 

Macclesfield itself has always been a bit of a joke as far as moorings go, and if you want to be truly alongside, there is exactly one mooring space in the centre of Macc that would suit you.

 

Having said all that, the OP implied that the first possible mooring on the canal all the way from Hall Green is at Bollington. Nonsense, I can think of LOADS of very nice mooring spots that aren't 10 feet high in grass.

[tillergirl]

We came down the Macc earlier this year and found it was best to moor at designated moorings spots.............we soon learnt that it was easier to get a spot if you arrived early rather leave it until tea time when every man and his dog are looking for mooring spots. The only problem we found was that the Macc was very shallow even for April. It was only when we got near the T&M were we able to find a rural mooring for the night that was easy to get to which i seem to recall was near Simpsons Bridge. Other than that it was Marple, High Poynton and Gurnett that I remember. The latter is lovely with a good pub but best to get there before 4pm!! It soon fills up!

[mayalld]

We came down the Macc earlier this year and found it was best to moor at designated moorings spots.............we soon learnt that it was easier to get a spot if you arrived early rather leave it until tea time when every man and his dog are looking for mooring spots. The only problem we found was that the Macc was very shallow even for April. It was only when we got near the T&M were we able to find a rural mooring for the night that was easy to get to which i seem to recall was near Simpsons Bridge. Other than that it was Marple, High Poynton and Gurnett that I remember. The latter is lovely with a good pub but best to get there before 4pm!! It soon fills up!

 

On no account should people moor on the 24 Hour Moorings by bridge 18 and walk down to the Miners Arms.

 

There's a right grumpy old bugger drinks in there from time to time.

[Graham Davis]

 

On no account should people moor on the 24 Hour Moorings by bridge 18 and walk down to the Miners Arms.

 

There's a MISERABLE, UGLY, grumpy old bugger drinks in there from time to time.

Corrected for accuracy!!

[Arthur Marshall]

As said, the Macc was cut diffeently to most other canals, in that it isn't a bowl shape but a V, being a purely commercial (and quite short) canal and no-one was expected to want to moor up anywhere at random on the towpath. So you can't get in at most places anyway. that being said, you can moor up near the pubs, and at quite a few rural bits above Bosley, if not at Macclesfield itself, which is a disaster as far as mooring goes - you can't even get into the side at the water points.

What's always baffled me is that there aren't any visitor moorings just above Bosley, when you really do need to stop and have a recuperative cup of tea, just a line of long term BW moorings.

It's still a pretty nice canal though, all said. Have they fixed that ****ing swing bridge yet, though(the one between Bosley and the electric one)?

[14skipper]

Went last year loved it will go again soon .on second thoughts it a crap canal where they let the grass grow and don,nt put moorings where you want them best you all stay down south with all your maicured lawns and nose to tail Moorings.best not come on the lancs Either where l am now you will hate it no moorings and elephant grass 12ft high.

 

14 skipper

[notebook]

Went last year loved it will go again soon .on second thoughts it a crap canal where they let the grass grow and don,nt put moorings where you want them best you all stay down south with all your maicured lawns and nose to tail Moorings.best not come on the lancs Either where l am now you will hate it no moorings and elephant grass 12ft high.

 

14 skipper

I have always wondered why people put comments like this on what is a relatively reasonable comment. If read correctly my comment says manicured tow paths isn't necessary but one that u can actually see the firm ground/look out windows and not get nettle rash would b nice

 

To be fair to the contractors/CART they get hassle from some boaters for strimming near boats at the moorings but the run up and down with a lawn mower is usually followed up with some strimming eaither side. Growth is at its maximum and is endeavouring to flower/fruit at the moment.

When growth is left adjacent to my moored boat I usually get the shears out and lower it a bit. The boat ahead of me is using the nettle growth to protect his soft canopy and entrance I think so I have not extended too much beyond my boat.

U are right about the mowers, and l was pleased the following strimmer didn't do right by the boat but neither did he do the edge. So I think it must b how they do it on the Macclesfield

[14skipper]

If its a view you want out of your window everytime you moor up perhaps you should consider crusing the med next year !

 

14 skipper

[PhilR]

I have always wondered why people put comments like this on what is a relatively reasonable comment. If read correctly my comment says manicured tow paths isn't necessary but one that u can actually see the firm ground/look out windows and not get nettle rash would b nice

U are right about the mowers, and l was pleased the following strimmer didn't do right by the boat but neither did he do the edge. So I think it must b how they do it on the Macclesfield

 

He probably missed the bit of grass that was the same height as your cabin roof?

[mayalld]

Corrected for accuracy!!

 

If I'd known you were up here I'd have bought you a drink!

I have always wondered why people put comments like this on what is a relatively reasonable comment. If read correctly my comment says manicured tow paths isn't necessary but one that u can actually see the firm ground/look out windows and not get nettle rash would b nice

 

It's called "humour"