New Canal Link

**gregs dad** · 03-02-2009

Great pics Ged, but why aren`t you in bed it`s gone 6 o`clock

**Ged** · 03-03-2009

Thanks Joe. You're right, I fell asleep at the wheel on the way home and now write this from my laptop in the Royal.

**gregs dad** · 03-03-2009

Couple of my pics in the Daily Post`s article on the canal link today

**gregs dad** · 03-10-2009

This is the end of the channel it is now entering the dock water

Walked along the full length of the canal link today.They have recently locked the Waterloo entrance but as I was going passed it was open so I took advantage of it

**Ged** · 03-10-2009

Great pics. Any reason they've given the bargemen that tricky looking curve to negotiate when it looks like it could all have been straight?

**gregs dad** · 03-11-2009

Originally Posted by Ged

Great pics. Any reason they've given the bargemen that tricky looking curve to negotiate when it looks like it could all have been straight?

I think its because the Trafalgar Dock is not in line with the Princes Dock and the wanted to make use of the wall that was already in place. They have finished the course of the canal as all the contractors have left this part, All it needs now is some landscaping and Peel to build some of their buildings on the vast area of waste land.

**Ged** · 03-11-2009

Cheers Joe. From an overview, it Just looks like they could have veered the canal to line up on a straight line given the length they had to play with. Great pics.

**Waterways** · 03-11-2009

Originally Posted by gregs dad

I think its because the Trafalgar Dock is not in line with the Princes Dock and the wanted to make use of the wall that was already in place. They have finished the course of the canal as all the contractors have left this part, All it needs now is some landscaping and Peel to build some of their buildings on the vast area of waste land.

They want to steal as much land as possible between the river wall and a East Waterloo Dock, filling in West Waterloo Dock. They can always infill into the river to gain land for a cruise liner terminal or whatever, so why infill the existing docks?

The pictures graphically illustrate the amazing levels of land acquisition by stealth that has been gradually implemented over the years. Most of that vast expanse of land seen was water space at one time - and too long ago either - with large ships, and small tugs and barges. Well all of it was originally water as all the docks apart from Stanley and a parts of Herculaneum were built onto the river.

Peel have all the land on the landside of the Dock Rd to build upon - the eyesore ramshackle little business there, which should be moved to purpose built business parks anyhow.

What they are doing is very wrong.

**gregs dad** · 03-11-2009

[IMG]

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This is where the boats will leave the canal into the Trafalgar then through the gap to the Salisbury then the Collingwood then under the road bridge to the Stanley then through the tunnel into the four locks then its homeward bound

**18stanley** · 03-11-2009

I've come a bit late to this thread and I'm rather perplexed. What is
the actual width of the Link - it doesn't look very wide to me, especially if it
becomes as popular as people are hoping it will be. And that bend - I share
Ged's puzzlement and apprehension! I think the project is certainly deserving
of praise but have forebodings about it if it turns out to be too successful for its
own good. What if a huge number of L&L boatowners decide to head for the
Pier Head on the opening day to admire it - and want to stay for a couple of
days?

Stan H.

**Waterways** · 03-11-2009

Originally Posted by 18stanley

I've come a bit late to this thread and I'm rather perplexed. What is the actual width of the Link - it doesn't look very wide to me, especially if it becomes as popular as people are hoping it will be. And that bend - I share Ged's puzzlement and apprehension! I think the project is certainly deserving of praise but have forebodings about it if it turns out to be too successful for its own good. What if a huge number of L&L boatowners decide to head for the Pier Head on the opening day to admire it - and want to stay for a couple of days?

Another thought. Is the only way out for a canal boat to go back up the
Canal?

Some boats can do a rat run through the Brunswick or Canning river locks and across the river to the Manchester Ship Canal or down to Widnes and into the canal there. Not advisable with long narrow canal boats though - and many foolishly do it.

The canal does look too narrow. There is also a height restriction too. Larger boats can also go through the Langton river locks (expensive to pass through), down the river and into the Canning Dock river locks. MDHC want to seal off the docks at Wellington Dock completely to isolate the commercial section and the WHS, so this route may not be an option. This would mean the whole docks length from Brunswick to Seaforth cannot be navigated by craft.

**gregs dad** · 03-11-2009

[IMG]

[/IMG]I don`t think we need worry about loads of boats using it,only on the one weekend meet we have annually. Lets face it if you had a boat wouldn`t you rather be in the counryside tide up alongside a nice pub.
This is the view from the canal

**scouse smurf** · 03-11-2009

Originally Posted by gregs dad

I don`t think we need worry about loads of boats using it,only on the one weekend meet we have annually. Lets face it if you had a boat wouldn`t you rather be in the counryside tide up alongside a nice pub.
This is the view from the canal

I'm sure not all of the canals in the countryside have a really nice view and imagine travelling past the liver buildings in the sun

Although I just can't see alot of the boating brigade enjoying a drink in baby blue (no offence meant)

**Waterways** · 03-11-2009

Originally Posted by scouse smurf

I'm sure not all of the canals in the countryside have a really nice view and imagine travelling past the liver buildings in the sun

Although I just can't see alot of the boating brigade enjoying a drink in baby blue (no offence meant)

It would be better if the canal was mainly dock water space, and was filled with deep water vessels of historic, visiting and tall ships. ships for small boast to sail through.

Instead we have an inland country boat canal where deep water vessels were. What a shambles. What an insult to the history and heritage of the city.

**gregs dad** · 03-19-2009

Came across the British Waterway`s barge Aintree today laying marker bouys in the docks to show the boat people what course to take in the canal link,so I followed them to the Salthouse.