Ridgeacre branch, BCN.

[Mat B]

Just tried to go up the Ridgeacre branch, totally blocked with vegetation.

 

Last navigated by us in 1983, how long has it been like this?

 

 

 

m@

[nicknorman]

Just tried to go up the Ridgeacre branch, totally blocked with vegetation.

 

Last navigated by us in 1983, how long has it been like this?

 

m@

The word on the street is that, due to severe pollution in the silt, navigation should not be attempted. Obviously CRT haven't closed it to navigation, but I suspect the weed is a consequence of no local use for this reason. For example on the BCN 24 hr challenge we were not allowed to navigate it - or at least we would get zero points for so doing. Edited October 8, 2014 by nicknorman

[Mrs Trackman]

Have never thought it looked navigable but sure a bcn challenger will be along to tell you they always do it.

[nicknorman]

Have never thought it looked navigable but sure a bcn challenger will be along to tell you they always do it.

Or not (see my edit).

[David Mack]

The Ridgeacre Branch lies beyond the road built across just above water level. What you tried to navigate is the Wednesbury Old Canal.

 

It is ironic that it was the building of this road and the loss of the little used but then still navigable length beyond it some 20 years ago that led to the BCN Challenge - a use it or lose it event to stop any further such closures - yet in recent year the Challenge organisers have asked boats not to attempt the still accessible length. How long before that really is lost too?

Edited October 8, 2014 by David Mack

[RLWP]

Have never thought it looked navigable but sure a bcn challenger will be along to tell you they always do it.

No - no points

 

We did it in 2009, there was just enough width and depth for Tawny then

 

There's an article about the branch in the latest Boundary Post

 

Richard

[Tom and Bex]

We tried and failed in May last year. Think there's some pics on here somewhere of our attempt. It's actually only a small section that's blocked by weeds and is surprisingly clear after that.

[RLWP]

We tried and failed in May last year. Think there's some pics on here somewhere of our attempt. It's actually only a small section that's blocked by weeds and is surprisingly clear after that.

Oh yes? When you are through the jungle, there are sandbanks and a trolley reef, plus the odd floating overcoat

 

Richard

[Mrs Trackman]

Ah yes. Just checked on the maps. Always thought was the ridgacre after ryders green junction. Pearson actually shows 11 abandoned canals on that one page. Sad but my thanks to those who worked to keep lots more open.

[Tom and Bex]

Oh yes? When you are through the jungle, there are sandbanks and a trolley reef, plus the odd floating overcoat

 

Richard

Trolleys can be pulled out given enough people and some rope and grappling hooks (it's even more fun when they are all locked together), and sandbanks can be rolled over (or floated over in Tawny's case).

 

The weeds defeated us completely though. In this weather any overcoats will come in handy!

 

Tom

Edited October 8, 2014 by Tom and Bex

[john6767]

The Ridgeacre Branch lies beyond the road built across just above water level. What you tried to navigate is the Wednesbury Old Canal.

 

It is ironic that it was the building of this road and the loss of the little used but then still navigable length beyond it some 20 years ago that led to the BCN Challenge - a use it or lose it event to stop any further such closures - yet in recent year the Challenge organisers have asked boats not to attempt the still accessible length. How long before that really is lost too?

 

I have checked the 2014 rules for the BCN Challenge, the this is what it says about the section in question

 

The Canal and River Trust have asked that boats do not navigate the section of the Wendnesbury Old Canal from Ryders Green Junction towards the Ridgeacre Stub because of excessive pollution. At the time of revising these rules it is not possible to navigate to the winding hole.

So it it stronger than there being no points for it, but it is not really the organisers decision.

 

The article in Boundary Post does not really say what is being considered for it, but at least it is being talked about, noting that dredging would be cost prohibitive and other options are being looked at, at least that is how I read it.

 

Given the location and length of the potentially navigable section, my opinion if the pollution issue could be overcome its future would be in the style of the Engine Arm, with long term (and short term) moorings and services. Perhaps the EU would like the fund this one as well.

[pearley]

Glad we cruised it before the Spine Road was built. No photos though, film was expensive back in the 80s.

[Mat B]

Thanks for the replies - the picture is much clearer now :-)

 

m@

[RLWP]

As a piece of 'completism' it's an interesting thing to do, as a canal - it's nothing special.

 

Richard

[tony collins]

Just tried to go up the Ridgeacre branch, totally blocked with vegetation.

 

Last navigated by us in 1983, how long has it been like this?

 

 

 

m@

We used the "truncated" section in 1999. Not been there since.

[Martin@75]

Just tried to go up the Ridgeacre branch, totally blocked with vegetation.

 

Last navigated by us in 1983, how long has it been like this?

 

 

 

m@

Got stuck up it last year CART had to pull us out. Just past the weed is a great mooring,

[pete harrison]

The Ridgeacre Branch lies beyond the road built across just above water level. What you tried to navigate is the Wednesbury Old Canal.

I remember tidying up several exStewarts & Lloyds Ltd. day boats on the Ridgeacre Branch back in the mid 1970's prior to them going off for conversion, and they had been towed up there behind the deep draughted tug CHRISTOPHER JAMES. The Ridgeacre Branch was a regular destination of B.C.N. Society Sunday work parties in the 1970's and I have many happy memories of dragging out submerged rubbish, having monster bonfires and the stomach churning stench of both the canal sediment as well as the local gas works.

 

The B.C.N. Society work boat 101 (on loan from Stewarts & Lloyds Ltd.) was often kept at the Phoenix Steel Tube works, on the offside just before the now lowered bridge.