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How safe is Coseley cutting on the BCN main line? An inspection day out


Laurence Hogg

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Today CanalScape-BCN did a volunteer job taking Canal & River Trust's principal work planner for England & Wales Jonothan Pritchett out to see if a deep drafted boat could still access "Blue Button" tip on the Bradley arm where debris from the embankment collapse nearby could be tipped. Our next job was then to go and look at the actual collapse in Coseley Tunnel cutting.

Our first surprise was after going down the Bradley arm astern we were able to get right in to the side at the old tip meaning there was a good 3ft of water available for loaded hoppers or joey boats. The tip hasn't been used since the late 1980's.

 

We then proceeded to Coseley tunnel to see the collapse, frankly speaking it doesn't look healthy and if the canal was a railway or road it would probably been closed months ago. For those interested in Geology its worth a look. After getting fish & chips from the Black Country Museum and winding we passed it again and I must say its not a spot I would like to linger in, the rocks are very loose!

 

"Blue Button" tip wharf

 

gallery_5000_522_209464.jpg

 

Coseley south end

 

gallery_5000_522_218241.jpg

 

Eastern embankment

 

gallery_5000_522_261486.jpg

 

Western embankment

 

gallery_5000_522_92259.jpg

Edited by Laurence Hogg
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  • 2 months later...

Open over Xmas and new year.

 

Thanks for that, useful to know. Why don't C&RT tell us that though? How can we plan winter journeys with any measure of confidence that we're not using incorrect data from their site?

 

 

 

The stoppages map is currently showing:

Coseley Cutting, Old Main Line Canal
  • 10 Nov 2014 - 13 Mar 2015

    07:30 am - 05:00 pm

  • Notice Type: Navigation Closure
  • Notice Reason: (Re)Construction

Mind you, they also still show this outdated bolleaux (which makes me wonder how often those responsible for the updates visit either the canal or the website!):

 

Suspected Bloom of Blue-Green Algae @ Knighton Reservoir
  • 08 Jul 2014

    12:00 am - 01:43 pm

  • Notice Type: Advice
  • Notice Reason: Information
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<p><p>

 

Thanks for that, useful to know. Why don't C&RT tell us that though? How can we plan winter journeys with any measure of confidence that we're not using incorrect data from their site?

 

 

 

The stoppages map is currently showing:

Coseley Cutting, Old Main Line Canal

  • 10 Nov 2014 - 13 Mar 2015

    07:30 am - 05:00 pm

  • Notice Type: Navigation Closure
  • Notice Reason: (Re)Construction
Mind you, they also still show this outdated bolleaux (which makes me wonder how often those responsible for the updates visit either the canal or the website!):

 

 

 

Suspected Bloom of Blue-Green Algae @ Knighton Reservoir

  • 08 Jul 2014

    12:00 am - 01:43 pm

  • Notice Type: Advice
  • Notice Reason: Information

The stoppages map I'm looking at says the Cutting is open for two weeks over Christmas

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The stoppages map I'm looking at says the Cutting is open for two weeks over Christmas

 

Oh-oh, wth am I looking at then? This is the page on the C&RT website where I'm looking after navigating Hone, Boating, Notices and Stoppages, Find A Notice Near You - have I been duped?? It still says the same as above when I go there. Where are you looking Starman?

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Perhaps he as been looking at the Winter Stoppages page as most of us have!

 

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/winter

 

Nipper

 

Edited to add that it doesn't seem to be working for me at the moment!

Edited by nipper
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Oh-oh, wth am I looking at then? This is the page on the C&RT website where I'm looking after navigating Hone, Boating, Notices and Stoppages, Find A Notice Near You - have I been duped?? It still says the same as above when I go there. Where are you looking Starman?

I downloaded the 'Birmingham' area winter stoppages map from the CART stoppages website page where Coseley is stoppage no9. The regional stoppage maps are where I always go to but it's a bit daft if all the info isn't listed everywhere. BTW isn't it usual practise to permit a Christmas window in long stoppages?

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Perhaps he as been looking at the Winter Stoppages page as most of us have!

 

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/winter

 

Nipper

 

Edited to add that it doesn't seem to be working for me at the moment!

 

 

clapping.gifbiggrin.png That edit made I larf, it did!

 

It does appear that things are a bit different depending what route or which links you follow to find the info you need and that the same info is not on the interactive map that might be found in the printable versions, doesn't it. The interactive really ought to be useful to browse when you don't really mind where you go as long as you can find an open route, which is what I'm doing. Clearly though, the Xmas opening at Cosely is not on that map, whereas the Tardebigge window at the end of Jan is. Consistency would be useful, as would removing the stoppages that finished months ago.

 

Someone said a little while ago that C&RT search this forum regularly for any mentions of the various forms of their name. Maybe the CANAL AND RIVER TRUST or CRT will read this post and put a little polish on this nearly really useful planning resource. wink.png

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I'd be less worried about the embankments than the locals. Coseley tunnel is the most dangerous place on the system by my experience; logs, bricks, masonry even an air rifle shot have rained down from the south portal.

 

I remember tales of police escorts for one old member here; the day after my air rifle experience!

 

CRT would do a lot by removing the slowly crumbling brick work above the south portal before the kids manage to pries it onto an unsuspecting boater's head.

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