New Boat

About two months ago we decided to buy a boat of our own. Surprisingly arranging the finance, viewing boats, seeing one we liked, agreeing a price, getting a survey done and then completing the sale all took less time then we thought and yesterday we drove to Warwickshire to be given the keys to our boat and move her to a boatyard/marina for the winter.

Photos and other information will follow shortly. 

Ridgacre Canal Update

Last month I sent an email to the West Midlands area of C&RT (see post below) reporting a blocked bridge hole (two fallen Silver Birch trees) and a weed covered section (about 100 Yds long) blocking the Ridgacre branch canal.  I've now received a response which included this line

"We can confirm that we are very committed to keep all of our canals and there is definitely no intention of us closing and losing this section."

Very good, but the email then went on to state

"We have previously investigated the option to dredge it but given the level of contamination and the cost to dispose of these dredging's it is currently unrealistic for us to do so, especially when you consider that we are not always able to dredge the frequently used canals as much as we would like." 

Not so good, the longer it is left the worse it will get and the more expensive it will be to clear, the email then stated that 

"We are aware of this issue being raised on local boaters forums recently so we have addressed it with the local BCNS and told them of our plans and asked for their advice. They agree with our thoughts and have stated that they will not promote its use as part of any rallies."

Very bad as there is now a part of the canal system, admittedly not frequently used, for which the official policy (supported by the local canal society) is not to promote its use.

At the moment it is possible to cruise the first 200 or so yards of the Ridgacre Branch, before being blocked by the weed growth. With an attitude of not promoting its use, how long will it be before the whole branch is lost?

Ridgacre Canal

Went for a walk along the ridgacre canal recently. This is a short arm that leads off the Walsall Canal at Ryder's Green Junction. The first part, sometimes referred to as Wednesbury Old Canal is navigable up to the Black Country New Road, where the bridge is too low and narrow  to allow boats to pass.

The disused section beyond the road is still in water and is used as a linear park and for fishing.

Black Lane bridge on the disused section. Beyond the bridge is a section, about 300 yards long, which is used by the Ridgacre Angling Club.

Start of the disused section showing the narrow and low bridge below the Black Country New Road bridge.

Other side of the road at the end of the navigable section showing the low and narrow bridge hole.

Winding hole just before the terminus of the canal.

 The first part of the walk, along the disused canal was interesting and I was able to capture a picture of a tram on the metro crossing the canal.

The second part, along the navigable section, was also interesting, but for more worrying reasons. After walking past the winding hole (pictured above) and thinking that when we cruise along the Walsall canal a short diversion along the Ridgacre Branch would be manageable with such a good winding place I discovered the canal blocked in two places.

The first was just by Swan Bridge, pictured below. The bridge hole is blocked by two fallen Silver Birch trees. It did look as though they had been there for sometime.

Swan Bridge (Ridgacre Canal)

 The second blockage just 50 or so yards further on was an overgrowth of reeds and weeds. Such that the whole width of the canal was blocked for about 100 yards.

These three pictures show the state of the overgrowth. This has not happened overnight and if not dealt with soon could lead to this section of the canal becoming disused.

I have written to the West Midlands region of C&RT with the details of these blockages and will wait to see what action they take to remove them.

Junction at Ryder's Green

Winter works open days: Dowley Gap Aqueduct, Postponed

After booking a hotel, making arrangements to visit relatives on the return journey and keeping an eye on the weather forecast, the open day has been postponed. We'll still have a weekend away, but not sure if we'll be able to make the re-arranged date.

Iain Weston, Acting Waterway Manager for the North West region, explains:

"Our winter maintenance is complex work but unfortunately external factors like this are out of our control. The teams have been working extremely hard to get the site prepared for the weekend but the snow and freezing temperatures have caused delays. We're pleased however that we can reschedule for a later date to give people this rare opportunity to take a behind the scenes look at our waterway maintenance."

Winter works open days: Dowley Gap Aqueduct, Leeds & Liverpool Canal: Winter works open days: Dowley Gap Aqueduct, Leeds & Liverpool Canal is now to take place on
17 Feb 2013
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
NEW DATE: Please note that this open day will now take place on Sunday 17 February

Work at Offerton Locks (W&B)

We're draining a section of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Dowley Gap Aqueduct so that we can carry out a number of repairs to the canal wall and install new balance beams on one of the locks.

We're inviting you to join us for a guided tour of the works to give you an insight into the maintenance required to keep our waterway network in working order.

Dowley Gap open to public

Saw this on narrowboatworld and thought it deserved a wider audience.

THE 240 years old Dowley Gap Aqueduct on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal near Bingley is to host its first ever public open day on Sunday 27th January.

Canal & River Trust is allowing members of the public to walk along a 55 yards drained section of the aqueduct and see for themselves what it takes to keep this this waterway landmark in working order.

Stop leakage

The aqueduct, which spans the Aire, is having works to stop its leakage, that involves installing temporary dams and over-pumping the water so the aqueduct can be fully drained.

The neighbouring two-rise Dowley Gap Lock Flight will also be open for the public to visit. Two new sets of 3.5 tonne lock gates are being installed having been made at Stanley Ferry Workshop in Wakefield.

With the lock drained, the team will also be using their  skills to carry out other repointing and grouting to the lock chamber walls, repairing leaks and installing new cills and balance beams.

Another chance

Iain Weston, Acting Waterway Manager for the Canal & River Trust's North West region explained:

"Over 7,000 attended our Bingley Five Rise event last year and for those who weren't able to make that special event, we're giving them another chance to see some of our other remarkable structures. For those that did come, we're offering them something different and unique by being able to open up the aqueduct to the public for the very first time. We hope the local community really get behind this event and take the time out to understand what it takes to keep our waterways running."

The Dowley Gap Open Day will run from 10am to 4pm on Sunday 27th January (last entry 3:15pm). Event parking has been kindly provided by Emerald Group Publishing Ltd, Waggon Lane, Bingley, BD16 1WA (off Bradford Road near to the Fisherman's Pub). Due to the nature of the works, visitors are asked to wear sturdy footwear or wellingtons.

Christmas 2012 on Eos

Some photos from our week on Eos at Christmas 2012.

Worcester Bar at Gas Street Basin.

One of my Xmas presents. I'll only need to fill it up a few thousand times to be able to buy a real one.

The mysterious dent reported at the AGM

Moored at Alvechurch

View from the side hatch at Alvechurch

Moored by a very muddy tow path.

Restored guillotine Lock at Kings Norton.