Horse Drawn Across the Pennines

The Horseboating Society has set out on a journey to cross the Pennines from Ashton to Huddersfield and back.

The historic narrowboat "Maria" is being horse-drawn both ways across the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and will be legged through Standedge Tunnel twice!

The boat sets off today from Guide Bridge, passing through Ashton and Stalybridge, offering good photo opportunities between the locks.

On Friday 22nd, the boat will pass through Mossley and Greenfield to Uppermill Museum.
On Sunday 24th, the boat will travel up Diggle locks and be enter the tunnel at around 1.00 pm. Walkers can follow the boat horse over the moors to Marsden along the old Boat Lane, in time to see the boat emerge at Tunnel End.

On Monday afternoon "Maria" will pass down the Marsden lock flight and on Tuesday afternoon will make the short journey to Slaithwaite. On Wednesday the boat will pass through Linthwaite and Milnsbridge to Aspley Basin in Huddersfield.

On Thursday 29th, the boat will return through Slaithwaite to Booth Lock and on Friday will climb the Marsden lock flight. The boat will be moored on public display at Tunnel End throughout the weekend.

The return legged passage through Standedge Tunnel will be on Monday 3rd May starting at around 1.00 pm. Walkers can follow the boathorse across the moors to Diggle. The boat will then continue down the Diggle locks to Uppermill Museum.

On Thursday May 6th the boat will pass through Mossley, Stalybridge and Ashton on its return to Guide Bridge.

More information about the Horseboating Society can be found at www.horseboating.org.uk


"Maria" being horse-drawn through Saddleworth

Pomona Lock Charge Increases

The Bridgewater Canal Company has notified boaters that the charge for using Pomona Lock has increased. The charge has been increased to £22.00 per craft per lock with immediate effect until further notice.

Craft returning through the Lock on the same day will only be charged a single fee.

Pomona Lock links the Bridgewater Canal with the Upper Reaches of the Manchester Ship Canal, Salford Quays and the River Irwell. Boaters wishing to use the lock should telephone 0161 629 8266 to book passage.

Charges for the use of Pomona Lock are not applicable to Bridgewater Canal licence holders.


Pomona Lock

Metrolink Means Delays For Rochdale Boaters

The construction of the Metrolink tram system to Oldham and Rochdale will result in potential delays for boaters on the Rochdale Canal.

The Manchester - Oldham - Rochdale railway loop is currently being converted from a standard railway line to a Metrolink tram line and this entails making changes to two bridges where the line crosses the canal.

Newbold railway bridge, between Firgrove and Kingsway bridges (east of Moss Locks) needs to be demolished and replaced. The demolition will take place between Tuesday 13th and Friday 16th April, 2010. Between 11.00 am and 4.00 pm on each of those days the canal will be closed to boats. Outside of those hours, passage will be available but there may be delays of up to 30 minutes. Boaters should moor up if necessary and await the direction of the banksman.

A new bridge will be constructed at Newbold between Tuesday 8th and Monday 14th June 2010. Between 11.00 am and 4.00 pm on each of those days the canal will be closed to boats. Outside of those hours, passage will be available but there may be delays of up to 30 minutes. Boaters should moor up if necessary and await the direction of the banksman.

In Failsworth the railway bridge just above Lock 65 (Wrigley Head) will need to have a new bridge deck fitted. Between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm on each of those days the canal will be closed to boats. Outside of those hours, passage will be available but there may be delays of up to 30 minutes. Boaters should moor up if necessary and await the direction of the banksman.

This bridge is immediately upstream of the section that is kept locks except for booked passages. Boaters heading westwards into Manchester will have passed the railway bridge before the stoppage starts each day. Boats heading east from Manchester will not usually arrive at this point until 2.00 or 3.00 pm so are unlikley to be delayed for too long.


Newbold Railway Bridge. (Photo: Neil Arlidge)

BW asks that boaters approaching these works moor up if requested and be patient. The contractor will get them through within the 30 minute window.