Winter Stoppages 2018/19

[pearley]

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

[Athy]

Thank you, CART. As we experience the first beautiful, warm weather for several months you start reminding us of next winter.

[pearley]

Just studying it in a bit more detail and see Birmingham is again cut off for the first part of the year. 

[Athy]

10 minutes ago, pearley said:

Just studying it in a bit more detail and see Birmingham is again cut off for the first part of the year. 

Thank goodness it's not all bad news.

[pearley]

1 hour ago, Athy said:

Thank goodness it's not all bad news.

Well it is for Caggys yard who will once again be on  a dead end, Away2Dine cruises who won't have access to their pick up point,  Sher borne Wharf who will see their diesel sales be halved again. 

[Tom and Bex]

It certainly seems a long stoppage for such a key bridge in the centre of Birmingham. What is being proposed that will necessitate a closure of Broad street bridge? I can certainly see some of the trip boat operators not being happy even if it is a quieter time of year for them. Towpath is also busy all year through there. 

[matty40s]

its not a consultation, its a.."this is what we are doing and we will tell you now, let you chew and then repeat it in September"

For Birmunghim to be a no go zone 2nd year on the trot is a real kick in the teeth, it should be an accessible destination in the Winter, not sealed off like it was last year.

[Tom and Bex]

Couldn't agree more. We often venture into Birmingham for a long weekend over winter. At least we will be able to get there via 1 route or other from Lapworth this year, but disappointing to be stuck at Broad street bridge, and the limited visitor mooring on gas street side might well put us off.

[cuthound]

Looks like they have forgotten to put Glascote Locks on it this year (well they been closed every winter for the past few years ?)

[mrsmelly]

On 08/05/2018 at 17:41, Athy said:

Thank goodness it's not all bad news.

On 08/05/2018 at 16:56, pearley said:

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

Giving us all plenty of time to select a part of the country to enable winter cruising if wanted. Well done for giving us plenty of notice to CART.

[Naughty Cal]

Looks like we don't have any stoppages to curtail our winter cruising this year 

[David Mack]

On 09/05/2018 at 21:43, Tom and Bex said:

It certainly seems a long stoppage for such a key bridge in the centre of Birmingham. What is being proposed that will necessitate a closure of Broad street bridge? I can certainly see some of the trip boat operators not being happy even if it is a quieter time of year for them. Towpath is also busy all year through there. 

 

The Stoppage Notice says "Third Party contractors, Midland Metro Alliance, have requested a closure to allow essential works to be carried out to the canal bridge structure". So presumably it is work in connection with the extension of Midland Metro from Centenary Square to Five Ways, which begins in 2019.  More info at http://metroalliance.co.uk/projects/birmingham-westside-extension/.  Not sure what work is needed that requires a 2 1/2 month stoppage though. 

[pearley]

37 minutes ago, David Mack said:

 

The Stoppage Notice says "Third Party contractors, Midland Metro Alliance, have requested a closure to allow essential works to be carried out to the canal bridge structure". So presumably it is work in connection with the extension of Midland Metro from Centenary Square to Five Ways, which begins in 2019.  More info at http://metroalliance.co.uk/projects/birmingham-westside-extension/.  Not sure what work is needed that requires a 2 1/2 month stoppage though. 

My first thoughts was strengthening the bridge to take the weight of the tram but as laden double deck buses and huge artics cross it all the time then it must already be strong enough for a tram. And why would work on the road surface require canal traffic to be stopped. 

[Dave123]

Thanks for posting this. The Paddington arm looks to be shut at Perivale for 3 months! That will be a headache for many depending on what the windows for navigation are like. But glad to see the Lee and Stort where im going for winter are relatively open

[pearley]

On 11/05/2018 at 14:30, pearley said:

My first thoughts was strengthening the bridge to take the weight of the tram but as laden double deck buses and huge artics cross it all the time then it must already be strong enough for a tram. And why would work on the road surface require canal traffic to be stopped. 

I asked Ian Lane about this. He replies that the tunnel is actually 3 bridges. The one with buildings is owned by Birmingham Council, the main roadway is rated at 40 tonight and owned by CRT, the pavement one, which has a little bit of roadway, is rated at 18 ton. This is the one that requires strengthening apparently by inserting girders from underneath. The actual length of stoppage is likely to be less than requested unless there are unforseen problems. 

 

Apparently Midland Metro Alliance originally asked for a summertime stoppage.