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Post by naughtyfox on Mar 29, 2017 15:42:07 GMT
"The section from Leeds to a place called Newlay which passes Kirkstall is one that, it is recommended, one should pass through early and without delay. As I was told by one of the lock keepers it is a bad area. I have never had a problem and once broke down in the height of summer at a weekend in Kirkstall so I had to spend the night there. Tales of the troubles in that area experienced by lock keepers who always have a good tale of woe, kept me on edge but it was a tranquil uneventful experience. I have to say from what I have heard things have got worse as villains and vandals emerge from an estate somewhere to make the lives of some a misery. But so far I cannot confirm this from personal experience. Yet that section to Newlay is quite beautiful so maybe it is just around the locks where the trouble starts. Fortunately the two short three lock staircases, the Kirkstall Forge staircase and Newlay staircase, are manned by the usual very helpful waterways staff who are attentive to everyone, helping boats through. But then they lock the flights up in late afternoon when trouble gets out of bed. This boat below was hoping to go up Newlay flight one morning before anyone else was able to use it. Unfortunately it seems to have no name. We were waiting to come down at the time having been there for 9am along with two other boats. The lock keeper was running water through the flight to get a big mass of weed down the cut as it drifted to the gates so he could get it out and had the top lock filled ready for us. For reasons unknown a wild woman from this boat appeared at the top lock demanding to be let through there and then and shouting profanities and waving her windlass. The poor lock keeper had to endure her endless abusive tirade, not least as she then threatened to report HIM! It is bad enough having to put up with intimidating yobs without boaters getting in on the act. Her boat is an old Dutch vessel known as a Tjalk, and one sees a few of these about, usually piled with the detritus of long term living aboard and often with a hippy type occupancy. Originally they were sailing boats with lee boards but this one looks very well maintained." (from here: colnevalley.blogspot.fi/2013/09/after-leeds.html ) |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2017 15:45:31 GMT
Not wanting to mix this with the L&L shortboats thread, I thought this canal deserved its own thread. Today, reading Pearson's guide I came across the info that Newlay and Kirkstall Forge locks are plagued by hooligans - is this still going on? "Newlay Locks are interesting. The Waterways Guide Book says that “in the interests of safety and water conservation, Newlay, Forge and Kirkstall Locks cannot be operated outside the hours 08.15-18.00 when CRT staff will be in attendance”. What the book does not say is that the local hooligans get out of bed about midday and terrorise boaters going through these locks. From 14.00 each day there is a security guard in attendance to protect the CRT staff!!. Apparently at the start of the day, CRT have to check the lock gates for large nails hammered in by small boys being held upside down by the ankles. The nails are designed to catch on the boat fenders – the idea being to sink the boats. Canny boaters will go through these locks whilst these said hooligans are still in bed and I am pleased to report that I had an uneventful passage – phew!!" (from here: dreamboat123.wordpress.com/tag/leeds-lock/ ) We were warned about this 'hot spot for vandalism' when we used to boat up there but in reality never had a problem. I think there have been problems in the past and it's acquired a bit of folk lore status as a problem area, it's quite near a large local authority housing estate apparently and bored yoofs have probably cause problems and the reputation has stuck. The caveat of course is that my experience of that section is very out of date now. |
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Post by naughtyfox on Mar 29, 2017 15:58:43 GMT
But good to be genned up and keep a weather eye out. Think we'll be there at 0730 when it's our turn.
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Post by Robbo on Mar 29, 2017 17:21:30 GMT
Not had any issues with these locks apart from Kirkstall lock leaks like buggery. Nearer Leeds I've seen youngsters swimming in the locks, but no issues with them getting out of way, etc. Not had any issues near Kirkstall but the rises are manned so I don't think I would see it. I wouldn't stop overnight in this area. The locks around Leeds are getting more flats around as well as a busier towpath so it's getting less youths here for that reason.
Saltaire has its issues and I wouldn't moor near Hirst Lock either as this is near the estate.
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Post by Robbo on Mar 29, 2017 17:25:11 GMT
But good to be genned up and keep a weather eye out. Think we'll be there at 0730 when it's our turn. It takes me around 6 hours from top of Rodley to centre of Leeds (single handed) and I usually set of at around 8am getting to Kirkstall at around 9.30. Other way I usually get to the locks at around 12.30pm (setting off at 8am) and the lock keepers and a welcomed site as I'm usually knacked. Oddie Lock tends to be the most difficult Lock as it's a bit hard work. |
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Post by canaldweller on Mar 29, 2017 18:00:59 GMT
But good to be genned up and keep a weather eye out. Think we'll be there at 0730 when it's our turn. Just had a look at the missus's log and this is what she had to say.... 20/05/13 (blimey was it that long ago? ) ".....2 lots of triples were manned. 1st lot bloke was a bit of an idiot. Told us mornings were best times to come thru' 'cos of people swimming in the locks. Pardon? I thought locks were for boats. Crowd of yobs at next set - but nice cart men....." 27/05/13 ".....some "swimmers" at the double lock [Oddy] as yesterday, but even tho' they could have been as nasty they were polite and helpful. Never judge! ......" |
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Post by Robbo on Mar 29, 2017 18:09:31 GMT
Oddy has a little coffee shop next to to the lock keepers cottage called the stables that has recently opened, so you more than likely not get youths just larking around in the lock as it's a lot busier.
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Post by naughtyfox on Mar 29, 2017 18:19:33 GMT
Now that this thread is established, I know where to put my L&L comments when we get onto it this Summer. There might be others following or coming against us, so this thread will be a kind of Towpath Telegraph.  |
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Post by kris on Mar 29, 2017 19:19:53 GMT
They don't have the security guards anymore.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2017 19:22:17 GMT
But good to be genned up and keep a weather eye out. Think we'll be there at 0730 when it's our turn. Just had a look at the missus's log and this is what she had to say.... 20/05/13 (blimey was it that long ago? ) ".....2 lots of triples were manned. 1st lot bloke was a bit of an idiot. Told us mornings were best times to come thru' 'cos of people swimming in the locks. Pardon? I thought locks were for boats. Crowd of yobs at next set - but nice cart men....." 27/05/13 ".....some "swimmers" at the double lock [Oddy] as yesterday, but even tho' they could have been as nasty they were polite and helpful. Never judge! ......" I want a missus like that  |
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