Monday, 5 January 2015
Updates - January 2015
South Yorkshire Waterways
Map 12 - Towpath Closure - From 19 December 2014 until September 2015.
The towpath will be closed between Jordan's Lock and Halfpenny Bridge (near the foot of the Tinsley lock flight). A signed diversion will be in place. The reason is improvements work being undertaken by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.
The navigation will remain open.
Chesterfield Canal
Map 6 - Chequers pub
There is currently uncertainty about the future of the Chequers pub, canalside at Ranby. If planning a visit please telephone them beforehand, as on page 40.
Wednesday, 10 December 2014
History
Chesterfield Canal at Retford Map 5 of Richlow's guide, from richlow.co.uk
Baptisms in the Canal
We've recently learnt, from a family historian, that in the 1840s baptisms used to take place in the waters of the Chesterfield Canal, near Town Lock in Retford. The lock-keeper's family well remembered the large crowds the ceremonies attracted, with the waterside singing heard at a considerable distance on still Sunday evenings. The Rev William Fogg, who carried out the baptisms, was the local Baptist minister until 1853.
Different canal users getting wet below Town Lock
Saturday, 6 December 2014
Images of - the Chesterfield Canal
Map 7 - Chesterfield Canal, a Richlow Guide from richlow.co.uk
A convenient mooring by the Priory Centre in Worksop - ideal for shopping. Between Town Lock and Morse Lock.
Richlow's nb Madeley Wood moored.
Monday, 1 December 2014
Boston Tidal Barrier - Latest News
Lincolnshire Waterways
Pages 28 to 33. Future Tidal Barrier at Boston. The following information was obtained at an Environment Agency exhibition in the town, 11 November 2014.
The barrier will be located across the River Witham, a little downstream of the access lock into the Black Sluice Navigation, thereby managing the tide in the Witham and making access to the Black Sluice available for a longer period each day. This will be more important when the Fens Waterways Link, via the Black Sluice, is completed to the Nene near Peterborough, via the rivers Welland and Glen - making a navigable circular route of the fens waterways.
Although the new barrier will be an aid to inland navigation its primary function is to prevent flooding in Boston, the town suffering greatly during the east coast tidal surge in December 2013 when over 800 properties were extensively damaged.
The barrier will rise up to block the water flow, and sink down to allow the natural flow of the tides, plus passage of boats through it.
A bird's-eye view of the planned barrier, raised up across the River Witham. Downstream is on the right.
From inland the Witham is already controlled by the Grand Sluice and its lock, on the western edge of Boston, holding the levels of freshwater. The stretch between the Grand Sluice and the planned barrier passes through the centre of the town and is currently fully tidal, therefore resulting in extensive, some say "unsightly", mud-banks, during much of the day. Therefore, many factors have to be considered when deciding on the levels at which the water will be held between the two control points, and at what times - boats going to/from the North Sea via The Wash and the lower Witham, those to/from the Black Sluice lock, fish habitats, high river flows from inland, the positive effect on the appearance of Boston's riverside areas, and the crucial flood-prevention in Boston and surrounding areas.
No definite decisions have yet been made about water-level management but it's likely that the new barrier will be closed during daylight hours. The morning high tide will flow up to the Grand Sluice, as it does now, but its waters will be captured by the barrier when the levels have fallen to the desired level. On the rising evening tide, when the levels are equal on both sides, the barrier would be opened. The high and low tide would then occur naturally through the town overnight. However, the barrier would not operate during high river flows, so allowing maximum discharge of freshwater out to the North Sea. No decision has yet been made on the levels which will be held in the freshwater Witham above the Grand Sluice. It may also be that annually, from 1 November to 1 April, the barrier will only operate when a tidal surge is predicted.
Project Timescales.
Nov 2014 - late 2015. Preliminary designs and the preparation of a Transport and Works Act Order (TWOA).
Late 2015 - spring 2017. TWOA application considered by the Secretary of State.
Summer 2017 - late 2019. Multi-functional Boston Barrier and associated works completed.
The "associated works" will be raising the lowest sections of the Witham's banks upstream of the new Boston Barrier.
An Environment Agency video, using a 3D-printed model and a graphics mock-up, shows the planned enviroment of the barrier and a boat passing through. tinyurl.com/omytyk5
The barrier closed, with raised river banks.
We wait to see - but the prevention of tidal-flooding aspect of the scheme will ensure something is done.
Pages 28 to 33. Future Tidal Barrier at Boston. The following information was obtained at an Environment Agency exhibition in the town, 11 November 2014.
The barrier will be located across the River Witham, a little downstream of the access lock into the Black Sluice Navigation, thereby managing the tide in the Witham and making access to the Black Sluice available for a longer period each day. This will be more important when the Fens Waterways Link, via the Black Sluice, is completed to the Nene near Peterborough, via the rivers Welland and Glen - making a navigable circular route of the fens waterways.
Although the new barrier will be an aid to inland navigation its primary function is to prevent flooding in Boston, the town suffering greatly during the east coast tidal surge in December 2013 when over 800 properties were extensively damaged.
The barrier will rise up to block the water flow, and sink down to allow the natural flow of the tides, plus passage of boats through it.
A bird's-eye view of the planned barrier, raised up across the River Witham. Downstream is on the right.
From inland the Witham is already controlled by the Grand Sluice and its lock, on the western edge of Boston, holding the levels of freshwater. The stretch between the Grand Sluice and the planned barrier passes through the centre of the town and is currently fully tidal, therefore resulting in extensive, some say "unsightly", mud-banks, during much of the day. Therefore, many factors have to be considered when deciding on the levels at which the water will be held between the two control points, and at what times - boats going to/from the North Sea via The Wash and the lower Witham, those to/from the Black Sluice lock, fish habitats, high river flows from inland, the positive effect on the appearance of Boston's riverside areas, and the crucial flood-prevention in Boston and surrounding areas.
No definite decisions have yet been made about water-level management but it's likely that the new barrier will be closed during daylight hours. The morning high tide will flow up to the Grand Sluice, as it does now, but its waters will be captured by the barrier when the levels have fallen to the desired level. On the rising evening tide, when the levels are equal on both sides, the barrier would be opened. The high and low tide would then occur naturally through the town overnight. However, the barrier would not operate during high river flows, so allowing maximum discharge of freshwater out to the North Sea. No decision has yet been made on the levels which will be held in the freshwater Witham above the Grand Sluice. It may also be that annually, from 1 November to 1 April, the barrier will only operate when a tidal surge is predicted.
Project Timescales.
Nov 2014 - late 2015. Preliminary designs and the preparation of a Transport and Works Act Order (TWOA).
Late 2015 - spring 2017. TWOA application considered by the Secretary of State.
Summer 2017 - late 2019. Multi-functional Boston Barrier and associated works completed.
The "associated works" will be raising the lowest sections of the Witham's banks upstream of the new Boston Barrier.
An Environment Agency video, using a 3D-printed model and a graphics mock-up, shows the planned enviroment of the barrier and a boat passing through. tinyurl.com/omytyk5
The barrier closed, with raised river banks.
We wait to see - but the prevention of tidal-flooding aspect of the scheme will ensure something is done.
Friday, 28 November 2014
Updates - November 2014
Chesterfield Canal
Page 5. Boating. The Chesterfield Canal Trust now has trip-boats operating at Retford, Worksop, Shireoaks, Kiveton Park, Staveley (Hollingwood Hub) and Chesterfield.
Cycling. Between West Stockwith and Norwood Tunnel the canal is a Canal & River Trust waterway, therefore cycling is allowed throughout.
Page 33. Map 12. Chesterfield. The turning point, near Tapton Mill Bridge (1) is only suitable for boats 50ft or less.
Page 40. Pubs & Cafes. Delete Brickmakers Arms, and White Swan.
Page 41. Contacts.
CCT Trip Boats. Add Madeline at Hollingwood Hub, contact details the same as for the John Varley.
Tapton Lock Visitor Centre. Summer (Easter to end of October) Open every day 10.00 to 16.30. Winter, open Saturday to Tuesday 10.00 to 16.00. All year, closed on weekdays 13.00 to 13.45.
South Yorkshire Waterways
Page 32, map 12. Navigation Notes. Rotherham
Shopping. The canalside Tesco, just below Rotherham Lock, has now closed. However, what was its car-park remains in use, as does the footbridge across the River Don to the town centre. At the end of the footbridge Norris's very good greengrocers is still there, as are a butchers, fish and chips, and a cafe.
Monday, 15 September 2014
Updates - September 2014
South Yorkshire Waterways
Page 32. Moorings above Rotherham Lock. Although lined with bollards the river deposits mud along this bank and these "moorings" are once again shallow and unusable, other than immediately outside the lock's top gates. The stretch of moorings below the lock is OK.
North Yorkshire Waterways
Page 40. Pocklington Canal - Swing-bridge 8. This bridge is now operational again. Although on the un-navigable section it's completion is a mark of faith in the future full restoration of this waterway.
Friday, 22 August 2014
Updates - August 2014 (2)
Narrowboat on the Trent
Page 38 Aegre Timetable. The annual timetable for the aegre (tidal bore) on the River Trent is not now available on the public-access website www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Richlow raised this problem with the EA, and asked that the information be, once again, available via their public-access website. And that the search terms be expanded to include eg Trent tidal bore, etc, instead of expecting the public to know yet another spelling of the name of this event.
EA replied that they no longer display the information because it is not the navigation authority for the Trent, and, therefore, will not be doing so in the future.
However, the same aegre timetable, same data, same format, is available on www.owston-ferry.co.uk It's the first item on the drop-down menu under the Local Information tab.
We have also found that the timetable can still be obtained by telephoning EA on 08708 506506 or via enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk You will need to ask them to search their in-house system for "aegir" (the spelling the EA uses). They will then email, or post, the timetable to you. It's not clear how long this facility will remain.
Page 38 Aegre Timetable. The annual timetable for the aegre (tidal bore) on the River Trent is not now available on the public-access website www.environment-agency.gov.uk
Richlow raised this problem with the EA, and asked that the information be, once again, available via their public-access website. And that the search terms be expanded to include eg Trent tidal bore, etc, instead of expecting the public to know yet another spelling of the name of this event.
EA replied that they no longer display the information because it is not the navigation authority for the Trent, and, therefore, will not be doing so in the future.
However, the same aegre timetable, same data, same format, is available on www.owston-ferry.co.uk It's the first item on the drop-down menu under the Local Information tab.
We have also found that the timetable can still be obtained by telephoning EA on 08708 506506 or via enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk You will need to ask them to search their in-house system for "aegir" (the spelling the EA uses). They will then email, or post, the timetable to you. It's not clear how long this facility will remain.
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