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Post by Telemachus on Jun 25, 2019 16:43:41 GMT
I know there has been some talk of both these trips recently but I thought I’d start a new thread with a view to concentrating the info in one place. Mainly because we will be doing it in July!
I’m just planning our arrival into Liverpool. I notice that Bridge 6 has limited opening times (ie not during the morning rush hour nor in the afternoon), but being just a couple of hours from the locks and with a descent time of 13:00 to 15:00 that probably isn’t an issue. Are there any other limiting issues now that Coxhead swing bridge is back to normal?
Are there any suggestions for a good overnight mooring the evening before the trip down Stanley locks, ie a morning’s cruising away?
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Post by Telemachus on Jun 25, 2019 16:49:34 GMT
On the Salford Quays thing, I phoned Bridgewater canal co and they tell me that they only work Pomona Lock on weekdays. Which is a little irritating as we will end up spending a whole weekend there, which may be rather a long time. On the other hand I suppose there is probably plenty to see in Manchester, even though I don’t much like it! Also she implied that they only want to operate the lock at 8am both ways. Which means an early start from a decent mooring - around Stretford or Sale I suppose. Unless there are suggestions for quiet and safe moorings nearer Pomona? Anyone managed to get them to operate the lock later in the day?
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Post by Mr Stabby on Jun 25, 2019 16:52:21 GMT
Just restricted opening times on bridges 9 and 6. Open 0930-1400 and then 1830-0700-ish. The control panel won't work outside these times, best thing is to do them the day before your crossing then overnight at Litherland for sanitary station, big Tesco etc, then it's about 1 hour 20 mins the next day to Stanley Dock Cut junction.
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Post by Jim on Jun 25, 2019 17:06:46 GMT
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Post by Mr Stabby on Jun 25, 2019 17:53:49 GMT
Just to add that CRT's "descent time of 1300 to 1500" is a bit misleading. The CRT bod will turn up just before 1300 and let all waiting boats through, then follow them down, padlocking the locks behind him. I don't think he will be too impressed if you turn up at 1450, find everything locked up, and phone CRT telling them you are waiting to go down and he has to go back and do it all again.
He may ask if he can hitch a ride down between the flight and the final two locks on your boat, if he does then say "yes" as he will give you an excellent commentary on the docks you pass through on the way.
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Post by Telemachus on Jun 25, 2019 20:44:25 GMT
Just to add that CRT's "descent time of 1300 to 1500" is a bit misleading. The CRT bod will turn up just before 1300 and let all waiting boats through, then follow them down, padlocking the locks behind him. I don't think he will be too impressed if you turn up at 1450, find everything locked up, and phone CRT telling them you are waiting to go down and he has to go back and do it all again. He may ask if he can hitch a ride down between the flight and the final two locks on your boat, if he does then say "yes" as he will give you an excellent commentary on the docks you pass through on the way. OK I did wonder about that! So we'll make sure we get there for 13:00
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Post by Telemachus on Jun 25, 2019 20:54:52 GMT
Just restricted opening times on bridges 9 and 6. Open 0930-1400 and then 1830-0700-ish. The control panel won't work outside these times, best thing is to do them the day before your crossing then overnight at Litherland for sanitary station, big Tesco etc, then it's about 1 hour 20 mins the next day to Stanley Dock Cut junction. We are just a little tight on time because we can't get out of Salford Quays until the monday morning. Presumably at a pinch we can stop short of bridge 9 and still have time to reach Stanley locks by 13:00ish, if we transit bridge 9 at 09:30? Canalplan says 3 hrs.
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Post by Telemachus on Jun 25, 2019 20:56:06 GMT
Yea just the second one applies. It is £30 to transit Pomona lock each way. A bit of a ripoff but then again we will only do it once (each way!).
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Post by ianali on Jun 25, 2019 21:34:13 GMT
Just restricted opening times on bridges 9 and 6. Open 0930-1400 and then 1830-0700-ish. The control panel won't work outside these times, best thing is to do them the day before your crossing then overnight at Litherland for sanitary station, big Tesco etc, then it's about 1 hour 20 mins the next day to Stanley Dock Cut junction. We are just a little tight on time because we can't get out of Salford Quays until the monday morning. Presumably at a pinch we can stop short of bridge 9 and still have time to reach Stanley locks by 13:00ish, if we transit bridge 9 at 09:30? Canalplan says 3 hrs. We are moored tween bridges eleven and ten now. Planning on getting to bridge nine for half nine and should be at Stanley locks for oneish. Moorings ok here. Couple of other boats doing the same. Can’t see it mattering if we get to Stanley lock later than one. Maybe the lockie followed Stabby down with padlocks because he knew all the boats due down had passed through?
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Post by Andyberg on Jun 25, 2019 21:37:25 GMT
We are just a little tight on time because we can't get out of Salford Quays until the monday morning. Presumably at a pinch we can stop short of bridge 9 and still have time to reach Stanley locks by 13:00ish, if we transit bridge 9 at 09:30? Canalplan says 3 hrs. We are moored tween bridges eleven and ten now. Planning on getting to bridge nine for half nine and should be at Stanley locks for oneish. Moorings ok here. Couple of other boats doing the same. Can’t see it mattering if we get to Stanley lock later than one. Maybe the lockie followed Stabby down with padlocks because he knew all the boats due down had passed through? I normally moor at swingbridge 10 and walk up over bridge & thro the farmyard to The Bootle Arms for a couple of beers when heading into The Docks, Thro Wango Lane bridge at 09.30 you should be at Stanley locks for around 12.00-12.30 and into Salthouse approx. 15.00.
Enjoy!
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Post by ianali on Jun 25, 2019 21:40:34 GMT
Yea just the second one applies. It is £30 to transit Pomona lock each way. A bit of a ripoff but then again we will only do it once (each way!). We may well do this on the way back from Liverpool. Like you say something’s you’ll only do once.
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Post by ianali on Jun 25, 2019 21:43:19 GMT
We are moored tween bridges eleven and ten now. Planning on getting to bridge nine for half nine and should be at Stanley locks for oneish. Moorings ok here. Couple of other boats doing the same. Can’t see it mattering if we get to Stanley lock later than one. Maybe the lockie followed Stabby down with padlocks because he knew all the boats due down had passed through? I normally moor at swingbridge 10 and walk up over bridge & thro the farmyard to The Bootle Arms for a couple of beers when heading into The Docks, Thro Wango Lane bridge at 09.30 you should be at Stanley locks for around 12.00-12.30 and into Salthouse approx. 15.00.
Enjoy!
Thanks. Your this way early July aren’t you?
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Post by Andyberg on Jun 25, 2019 21:48:12 GMT
I normally moor at swingbridge 10 and walk up over bridge & thro the farmyard to The Bootle Arms for a couple of beers when heading into The Docks, Thro Wango Lane bridge at 09.30 you should be at Stanley locks for around 12.00-12.30 and into Salthouse approx. 15.00.
Enjoy!
Thanks. Your this way early July aren’t you? I've cancelled my booking for the docks and decided to head up to Appley bridge this weekend from Rufford, do a couple of nights work Monday / Tuesday then head for the River Weaver for a week or so! Sure we will pass at some point for a pint!
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Post by Mr Stabby on Jun 26, 2019 11:34:43 GMT
Also should just add that there are also restricted opening times on the lift bridge at Plank Lane (no 7 on the Leigh branch of the L&L), closed for a couple of hours twice a day in the rush hours. It's a fair way from Liverpool so you will be able to make the time up if you are held up but just something to be aware of.
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Post by Telemachus on Jun 26, 2019 14:37:51 GMT
Also should just add that there are also restricted opening times on the lift bridge at Plank Lane (no 7 on the Leigh branch of the L&L), closed for a couple of hours twice a day in the rush hours. It's a fair way from Liverpool so you will be able to make the time up if you are held up but just something to be aware of. Thanks. Just picking up on your earlier point about needing to arrive at Stanley locks for 13:00, when you read the CRT skipper's guide on it, it rather suggests the opposite. It says:
Stanley Lock Flight is open for boats travelling into Liverpool from 13:00 to 16:00 daily (except Tuesdays). The flight is open for boats travelling out of Liverpool (starting from Mann Island) from 08:00 to 09:30 daily (except Tuesdays). Please note that the locks will be padlocked closed outside of these times. Please be advised that the Stanley Lock Flight and Prince’s Lock are now self service and not an assisted passage. Mann Island Lock is also self service unless informed otherwise, for example if a tall ship is entering Canning Dock which cause a difference in water levels. Freedom of movement though the locks is available during the windows outlined above. Volunteers and seasonal lock keepers will be available in the area should you need any guidance.
I'll maybe check with them!
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