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Birmingham And Fazeley Canal Minworth Locks

Tinhare

By Tinhare
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trackman Proficient

trackman

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The bank has overtopped twice in recent years. Both times CRT have apparently repaired it with "soft" materials that will erode when overtopped again. This seems foolish since it leads to rapid worsenment of the situation, as the flow of water cuts down the height of the bank, increasing the flow etc etc!

Perhaps this time it's different, as they refer to weakness in the bank, which may mean a structural problem rather than just overtopping. That could imply a longer and more difficult repair

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Tinhare Contributor

Tinhare

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thanks, looks like we will have to try and sort another route..

Us too as we are heading back to Fazeley on Wednesday from Tardebigge. Looks like we have to go the (very) long way around since the Wolverhampton 21 are also closed.

Our route will have to be the following. Deep Cuttings Jcn - Dudley Port Jcn - Windmill End Jcn - Park Head Jcn - Stourton Jcn - Aldersley Jcn - Great Haywood Jcn - Fazeley Jcn.

That really is a long way round unless someone has a much better route.

 

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john6767 Veteran II

john6767

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It is not good news

 

From 29/07/2013 until further notice

UPDATE (29 July 2013): We are having to de-water the pound and carry out a fish rescue in order to ascertain whether there is a leak from the canal bed. Once the source of the leak has been determined we will be able to advise regarding the repairs required and the length of time this will take. It is expected that a further update will be available Wednesday afternoon.

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IanM Experienced

IanM

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Us too as we are heading back to Fazeley on Wednesday from Tardebigge. Looks like we have to go the (very) long way around since the Wolverhampton 21 are also closed.

Our route will have to be the following. Deep Cuttings Jcn - Dudley Port Jcn - Windmill End Jcn - Park Head Jcn - Stourton Jcn - Aldersley Jcn - Great Haywood Jcn - Fazeley Jcn.

That really is a long way round unless someone has a much better route.

 

 

Canalplan says your route is...

 

Total distance is 92 miles, 7½ furlongs and 64 locks.

 

Another route via the Stratford, Grand Union and North Oxford is...

 

Total distance is 92 miles, 1¾ furlongs and 83 locks.

 

So not a lot in it mileage wise but depends how much you like doing locks. :)

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Paul C Veteran II

Paul C

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Canalplan says your route is...

 

Total distance is 92 miles, 7½ furlongs and 64 locks.

 

Another route via the Stratford, Grand Union and North Oxford is...

 

Total distance is 92 miles, 1¾ furlongs and 83 locks.

 

So not a lot in it mileage wise but depends how much you like doing locks. smile.png

 

This stoppage adds 37 hours, 46 broad locks (but 1 less narrow lock) and 74 miles to our planned route, because we are approaching Birmingham from the north (via SU), want to go back via the T&M, and want to do a 'ring' instead of an out and back route. Yes, we could go to Birmingham then come back via an alternate route through some of its lesser used canals such as the Wyrley & Essington but we'd end up repeating Netherton tunnel, Black Delph and Stourton Jn 'in' route. Unlike the Wolverhampton 21 which is a minor inconvenience since there is a not too long diversion around, this stoppage does block a 'through' route.

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john6767 Veteran II

john6767

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Latest Update, not good.

 

29 Jul 2013 - 09 Aug 2013

Associated Regional Office: West Midlands Waterways

UPDATE (31 July 2013): The engineering survey has confirmed that there is a leak in the canal bed. Repairs are now being carried out, requiring a towpath closure between Hansons Bridge and Forge Lane Bridge. A diversion is in place, using the adjacent A38 footpath. Navigation will be re-opened by 4pm on Friday 9th August.

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Ellen Katherine Gongoozler

Ellen Katherine

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We are on our syndicate owned boat currently moored in Drayton and had planned on going into Birmingham as we have tickets for sea life Black Country and Cadbury world ... Is anyone in the area and if so do you think they will reopen the lock on Friday and are there lots of boats waiting to go through? Would be very grateful of any updates as we have a very worried 10 year old with us who is currently beside himself over the stoppage - thanks loads

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Mrs Trackman Proficient

Mrs Trackman

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I hope the locks reopen for you and others.

I know it's not what you want but an alternative is the train. Wilnecote station is a 20-30 minute walk from Fazeley, the service is a bit patchy, 2hourly in the day usually but more like hourly in busier times. Alternatively there are several places you could moor for Tamworth station for a half hourly service to Birmingham.. Our preference is near Sutton Road bridge on the Coventry, it's by the big shopping centre, Sainsbury's etc. The roads are quite noisy there but it's a safe enough mooring and maybe a 40 minute walk to the station.

From New St station in Birmingham it's probably 20 minutes to the sea life centre. A change of trains will take you to the stop right outside Cadbury's world, Bournville.

Oh and the train journey takes 20 minutes compared with a good 9 hours and 38 locks by boat, that's progress for you, but not half the fun.... and you don't have your home with you when youj get there.

Hope you make it somehow. Let us know!

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Tinhare Contributor

Tinhare

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I hope the locks reopen for you and others.

I know it's not what you want but an alternative is the train. Wilnecote station is a 20-30 minute walk from Fazeley, the service is a bit patchy, 2hourly in the day usually but more like hourly in busier times. Alternatively there are several places you could moor for Tamworth station for a half hourly service to Birmingham.. Our preference is near Sutton Road bridge on the Coventry, it's by the big shopping centre, Sainsbury's etc. The roads are quite noisy there but it's a safe enough mooring and maybe a 40 minute walk to the station.

From New St station in Birmingham it's probably 20 minutes to the sea life centre. A change of trains will take you to the stop right outside Cadbury's world, Bournville.

Oh and the train journey takes 20 minutes compared with a good 9 hours and 38 locks by boat, that's progress for you, but not half the fun.... and you don't have your home with you when youj get there.

Hope you make it somehow. Let us know!

Wilnecote train are every hour or two depending on time of day. If at Fazeley Jctn, take bus 110 to Tamworth from Fazeley Square (next to war memorial) at roundabout. Then 10-15min walk to station, then train to Birmingham. If there are 2 or more then take a taxi from Fazeley Square to Tamworth station five to six quid about 10-15mins.

 

Hope this help someone. Even if only to head into Tamworth.

 

Oh, also, just down the road from Fazeley Square towards Tamworth on Tamworth/Fazeley Road is a HUGE shopping area called Ventura Park take the 110 (goes past) or No 9 bus (goes into). Here you will find Asda, M&S, B&Q, Sainsburys, Halfords, Homebase, etc etc.

Also, In Fazeley itself there is a P.O. a great chippy, and a Tesco Express.

 

regards,

Alan.

Hope this helps anyone waiting around the area for the canal to open.

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Paul C Veteran II

Paul C

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Does anyone 'on the ground' reckon the 4pm Friday opening is optimistic, likely, or a pessimistic (safe) estimate? We're en route for it and will need to know a bit beforehand, so we know to turn right, instead of left, at Old Turn Junction.

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vicvdb Engager

vicvdb

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Been staying in Birmingham for the past few days - CRT chap was adamant that they'd be reopening Fazeley canal on Monday at 8am - met quite a number of people who having been stranded for some time have gone off for Netherton and the Staffs and Worcs route.

 

Latest CRT update:

 

Stoppage: Navigation closed between Minworth Locks 2 & 3, Towpath closed between Hansons Bridge and Forge Lane Bridge

29 Jul 2013 - 12 Aug 2013

Associated Regional Office: West Midlands Waterways

UPDATE (07 August 2013): Due to the complexity of the works required, we have unfortunately had to delay re-opening the navigation until 8am on Monday 12th August. (Enquiries: 0303 040 4040)

 

That said we've had a great time in Brum and had a day out to Norton Junction too (know where I'm off to next) - what a beautiful bit of canal (and we've seen so much on our travels this year)

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  • 3 weeks later...
Keeping Up Veteran II

Keeping UpDonate to Canal World

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On the GU main line they still have copies of the original stoppage notice posted (eg at Cape) but no hint that it has been re-opened. There were a lot of hirers making phone calls to their hire-base, the afternoon we were there, afraid that hey may not be able to complete the Warwick ring

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