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.
  

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.
 

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.
 

Updates - August 2014

 
North Yorkshire Waterways
 
Page 38 and Maps 11, 13.  Pocklington Canal - Hagg Bridge.  The difficult to access water-point at Hagg Bridge has been removed by CRT.  Water is available at the head of navigation at Melbourne.
 
Page 42 and Map 13.  River Derwent - Sutton (Elvington) Lock.  Navigation through this lock is not possible at the moment.  It is the subject of an IWA campaign owing to the confused legal situation regarding what is now usually referred to as Elvington Lock.  There is no Navigation Authority for the river.  The Environment Agency is responsible for the top guillotine gate and took it out of use in February to undertake a structural assessment.  Work has since stalled.
 
Furthermore, the bottom wooden mitre gates will soon need to be replaced.  However, a court case in the 1980s failed to clearly state the ownership of these gates, nor who is responsible for maintenance or repairs.
 
The IWA is keen to provide funding and practical help to resolve the situation and restore full long-term navigation.
 
Meanwhile, the lower reaches of the Derwent are still open to navigation as the access waterway to the Pocklington Canal.  The barrage-keeper at Barmby will know the latest situation (p50).
 

Checking River Levels

 
English and Welsh Rivers
 
A customer has told us about the very useful website www.riverlevels.info .
 
Please be aware that it's an unofficial site, but it uses the Environment Agency data, from the EA's levels-measuring stations, on the rivers throughout England and Wales (Scotland promised to follow).
 
The site's creator thinks the EA could display its data more effectively, so he set out to do so.  In his own words...
 

" While the Environment Agency's own website does provide river level information, it has to be said that the presentation of the data is somewhat limited. So I decided to set up my own version.

 

In particular, what I thought I could do better was to present the data in a more accessible visual format, and with better cross-referencing between different sites (so, for example, when viewing the data for the River Avon at Evesham, there are also quick links to other locations on the Avon and other rivers near Evesham). Putting the locations onto a Google map also makes it easier to find those which are relevant as you don't need to know precise names. " 

 

Zoom in on the map and it will clearly show, with rising/falling red or green arrows, the situation in an area, thereby giving warning of water levels rising upstream of any point where you may be visiting.  Or, of course, lack of water flowing down in drought conditions.

 

Clicking on an arrow gives a box with location, waterway, and levels  -  clicking on the "More" link in the box will give more information for the site.

 

There's also a Locations List with rivers shown within their catchments.  Again, very useful for a quick check on everything which may change the water levels, in the near future, where you are.

 

Richlow has no connection with the creator of the website  -  we just thought his initiative should be applauded, and that our customers may benefit from a visit to www.riverlevels.info .

 

Updates - July 2014 (2)

 
Chesterfield Canal
 
Page 24. Navigation box. Shireoaks Marina. From 28 July work will be underway to move the CRT Visitor Moorings from inside the Marina, to outside on the towpath where there are bollards. The water-point will be moved to the sanitary station - for access to all its facilities there will be a new gate from the towpath moorings, via a standard CRT key.  A second gate will give access to the marina for disposal of rubbish. 

The current Visitor Moorings will be fenced off from pedestrian access and will become part of the berth-holder-only moorings.
 
Visiting boats will no longer need to enter Shireoaks Marina.  The new CRT Visitor Moorings will be alongside the towpath, immediately upstream of the marina entrance bridge.
 
The work to carry out the above changes is due for completion by 12 August.
 

Updates - July 2014

 
Lincolnshire Waterways
 
All of the Fossdyke and River Witham maps and Navigation Notes  -  Visitor Moorings
 
The permitted duration of stay at CRT Visitor Moorings has been increased from 24hrs to 48hrs  -  with the exception of the following  -
 
 
Fossdyke
Torksey Cut (Trent side)  -  72 hrs
Torksey Lock (Fossdyke side)  -  72 hrs
Saxilby  -  72 hrs
 
River Witham
Bardney Lock - 72 hrs
Boston visitor moorings  -  5 days  (even though an incorrect sign by the moorings currently says "7 days"!  This situation will be corrected by CRT.
 
The signage to indicate the general increase to 48 hr stay duration is due to be installed by the end of August, but is in force now. (July 2014).