Lancaster visitor mooring advice required

[frangar]

Due to the breach and stoppage our plans for the Lancaster have changed a bit!

 

Just wondering if the panel think it's ok to moor in Preston and the bottom of Lancaster around the winding hole before the stoppage (bridge 98)? Thinking of being able to leave the boat for a bit to wander around the towns and see the sights etc.

 

We also might be need a temp marina mooring with a hook up for a few days or possibly longer in case the stoppage looks like it might finish early so we can do the rest of the canal and/or maybe nip back to the office etc.....that might need to be in range of a train station or enterprise hire car base.

 

Any other tips on moorings and things to do/see in the lower half of the canal are most welcome....at the moment Glasson is still open so we are planning a visit down there.

 

Cheers

 

Gareth

[jellybeano]

We moored in Lancaster last week for several days on the 7 day moorings near the Water Witch pub (very friendly, good food, good choices of beer). It was quiet and pleasant. Not too far to the train station, and good bus services. The Glasson branch is well worth a visit, plenty of moorings in the basin, don't miss a visit to the Smokehouse in Glasson.

Does anyone know where, on the Lancatser Canal, it is easy for a 57foot narrowboat to fill up with diesel? We need to do so, before our return on the Ribble Link.

[Dreadnaught]

Best advice I'd give is to avoid leaving your boat at Preston - get the bus. Take a temporary mooring at Garstang Marina (270 berths) 01524 791 417 speak to Andrew. The site has several temp moorings available: free showers washing machine/dryer. Diesel can be supplied in 20L containers by contacting the site owners. Pumpout at Barton Grange and Garstang A half hourly bus service runs along the A6 10 min walk from the marina.

You can either go to Preston or Lancaster 12 miles either way. Change at Lancaster for the 555 for the Lake District bus.

Edited June 28, 2015 by Dreadnaught

[rgreg]

 

Does anyone know where, on the Lancatser Canal, it is easy for a 57foot narrowboat to fill up with diesel? We need to do so, before our return on the Ribble Link.

The only canalside diesel pumps are at Moons Bridge Marina (check for opening times) or Glasson Basin Marina. As mentioned Garstang Marina also have diesel which they will bring to your boat and put it in for you at the marina.

[rgreg]

The nearest you can moor to Preston is at Cadley visitor moorings by the services. They are secure but very limited. It's still a fair hike into town or a short bus ride. As has been said there is an excellent bus service between Lancaster and Preston accessible from several good moorings at Billsborrow, Garstang, and Galgate. Glasson basin is a must to visit as is Lancaster itself, both with good safe moorings. Also as said, Garstang Marina will sort out your temporary mooring then you can get the bus to Preston or Lancaster mainline stations or get Enterprise car rental to come and pick you up.

[frangar]

Thank you very much to everyone for the info. Most useful! It's a shame we might not make it to the end but it will give us an excuse to come back.

 

Cheers

 

Gareth

[jellybeano]

Many thanks for info on diesel. The Lancaster is such a lovely canal, friendly locals, beautiful views. Shame it is a bit shallow at the edges a lot of the time.

[14skipper]

Plans are in hand to install a diesel pump at galgate marina,it will be self service and work off a credit card.Work is due to start this week.

 

14skipper

[jellybeano]

Still on the lovely Lancaster, for one more week. Back in Lancaster itself, have just eaten and drunk at the Waterwitch canalside pub. Even though it was a busy Saturday evening, service was slick and friendly, menu choices varied and interesting, excellent range of beers. Total bill seemed very reasonable. Cheeseboard selection lovely. Will pursue buying diesel this week, before our Ribble Link crossing at the end of week. Must come back sometime, especially when the Lune Aqueduct has been fixed.

[frangar]

If you can fit it in I would heartily reccomend coming down the Glasson branch....now open 8-12 each day...it's a couple of hours trip with good moorings at the bottom both on the old long term moorings by the car park and a few moorings on the far side by the old jetty. Lots to look at including bumpy water boats and a working port. I think Glasson Marina do fuel but may be worth a call to check....and they are closed sun/mon.

 

Cheers

 

Gareth

[ian west]

Plans are in hand to install a diesel pump at galgate marina,it will be self service and work off a credit card.Work is due to start this week.

 

14skipper

Does anyone know how this would work with the self declaration?

[14skipper]

Does anyone know how this would work with the self declaration?

understand that at ripon because its not self service the fuel is 65p or 95p at a 40/60 split.and at galgate because it is self service the fuel will be on a 40/60 split and will be around the 95p mark.

Work seems to have been delayed on fitting pump.

[frangar]

Just picked the boat up after leaving it at Garstang Marina for a few days. Andrew couldn't have been more helpful to deal with. Really nice chap. Great recommendation chaps, thank you very much.

 

Enterprise car hire in Preston were happy to pick up and collect from the Marina as well.

 

Here's hoping the breech opens on time or even a day or two early!

 

Cheers

 

Gareth

[JohnEW2912]

The word I have is that they are hoping to have everything open by this weekend. The stoppage emails would back that up as they are talking about hoping to start re-watering from tomorrow.

[frangar]

The word I have is that they are hoping to have everything open by this weekend. The stoppage emails would back that up as they are talking about hoping to start re-watering from tomorrow.

I'm looking forward to the next email update scheduled for tomorrow......

 

Cheers

 

Gareth

[JohnEW2912]

I hope it does. Our new boat is being built at Bridge House marina and we have time from Friday up till next Tuesday to see the Lancaster. After that we are in London for a few days and then back in time to do the link on 5th August.

[Barbara Wilson]

Hopefully the breach work is almost finished and the aquaduct due to be opened before the end of this week. The delay of the planned installation of the diesel pump at Galgate is due to having to wait for BT to lay a line...

[14skipper]

 

Update on 24/07/2015:

Lune Update Friday 24th July 2015

The bogmats have now been removed and the contractor has completed all the work needed, including removing debris from the aqueduct.

We will be starting to refill the canal with water tomorrow and this will continue over the weekend, once we are happy that the new bed is watertight the temporary dams will be removed.

We are pleased to confirm that the canal is expected to be open on Tuesday 28^th July.

An update will be issued on Monday at 2pm.