Barton Swing Aqueduct - Bridgewater Canal

[Darcy]

-- Apologies if this is in the wrong place --

We are intending to travel down the Bridgewater Leigh branch in the first week of April. Whilst doing some research, I discovered that the Barton Aqueduct is due to be closed for annual maintenance from:

 

4.30 pm 18th March 2007 to 12.00 noon 31st March 2007.

 

This seems to be very precise. Yet the notice says "Work to the Aqueduct is expected to be completed within the specified period of time. However, due to the nature of the work the Company can not guarantee completion on the published date".

 

I wonder if anyone has any experience of previous annual closures. Do they usually reopen on schedule ? In my industry I find there are those that give a long lead times to ensure they never miss a deadline and others that are unfailing optimistic. If the opening is delayed by more than a couple of days, I'll need to rethink our plans - so any insights would be most helpful.

 

thanks.

Edited March 12, 2007 by Darcy

[DHutch]

Yeah well, it should be on time... And might even be.

- However at the same time, i would have a contingency plan just incase, and ring BW on the friday (30th)

 

And this is perfectly good place for the thread to be as well.

 

 

Daniel

[John Orentas]

Yeah well, it should be on time... And might even be.

- However at the same time, i would have a contingency plan just incase, and ring BW on the friday (30th)

 

And this is perfectly good place for the thread to be as well.

Daniel

 

 

Yes in my experience they do tend to stick to their schedules, what they do is very routine stuff, lubricating and a bit of painting. Major problems will usually be spotted by periodic inspections, nothing can be guaranteed thought it is a big hundred year old contraption. As Daniel says give them a ring a few days before the completion date.

[Darcy]

Thanks very much John and Daniel. We will as you suggest think about some contingency plans. We will be on a one way hire - and this is on the route, so I think I'll give the boatyard a call too and see what they suggest. At least once the maintainance begins they should be able to tell us which side of the aqueduct our boat is on and hence which end of the route we'll be picking it up from !!

 

Ann

[Noah]

Has anyone seen this bridge closed (to Bridgewater traffic) outside of normal daytime hours? For example, this winter's official open hours have been 9.15 am to 4.30 pm but I've arrived earlier and later and have not yet seen the bridge closed. Also, has anyone arrived during the day and had to wait while a ship passes below on the MSC? This is something I'd like to see. I know sea-going vessels still use the Manchester Ship Canal because I've seen them whilst driving over Thelwall Viaduct on the M6.

 

Noah

[DHutch]

We went though at 4.55 on saterday no problems.

- We where slightly curious as to what "open 9.15 am to 4.30 pm" ment. With all sorts of visions of chains and padlocks over the canal. However there was no problem. Other than the fact we ended up meeting 'ambush' coming the otherway. Which was slightly sureal, having just gone the last 3 hours without seeing anything. Very nice boat tho, very manovable for its size!

 

 

Daniel