New Canal Link

**Ged** · 06-19-2009

Yes, it must be a bit frightening for parents of young ones who rightly allow them into the front garden but could easily wander off as the canal is literally yards from some of these houses. Also, the walls along by Bootle are perimeter walls of some private properties as there's still lots of industry along that way.

**gregs dad** · 06-19-2009

Many years ago you had to trespass by climbing over walls and gates to get on the tow path of the canal in Kirkdale and Vauxhall, Gates at the top of the stairs leading to the path were always locked up. but this didn`t stop the canal claiming childrens lives.We would get the tramcar to Ford and Litherland
parts of the canal, thinking it would be cleaner out in the country for swimming and fishing in our young minds.

**wsteve55** · 06-20-2009

I cant remember his name,( jim ?)but years ago,there was some guy who was famous for rescuing kid's from the canal,even learning them to swim! As photo's show, it was a well used facility!

**Howie** · 06-20-2009

Are you thinking of the Guyana-born swimmer James Clarke who saved the lives of many people who got into trouble in the River Mersey and Leeds-Liverpool canal? (See Jim Clarke 'A Local hero').

**gregs dad** · 06-20-2009

2 narrow boats leaving lock 4 at the Stanley locks

entering lock 3

Not a good choice of name considering the sinking of the submarine "Thetis" in the Liverpool Bay.

Thetis leaving lock 3 with a Merseyrail train crossing the viaduct over the canal.
I was speaking to some of the owners of these boats who had been in Liverpool for a fortnight, and they said they had really enjoyed it.
I was surprised to learn all the facilities are free if you only stay 14 days, after that you have to pay.

**gregs dad** · 06-20-2009

Plenty of geese with their young from Boundary St bridge and Athol St,also a lot of landscaping on the banks of the canal.

**Kev** · 06-20-2009

Fab pics Joe. I wouldn't know where to begin on the canal....

**Johnny Robbo** · 06-21-2009

Originally Posted by gregs dad

I was surprised to learn all the facilities are free if you only stay 14 days, after that you have to pay.

Traffic was fairly quiet when the link first opened and I'm sure the free 14 days was intended to encourage its use. Judging by Joe's wonderful recent photos of the moorings it seems to be having the desired effect. I think the free offer will probably end once word speads about the facilities and demand increases.

**wsteve55** · 06-22-2009

Fantastic to see the canal in use! Who'd have thought it,just a few years ago!

**gregs dad** · 06-30-2009

Will you get your boats out of our swimming pool?. Narrow boats in the Stanley locks interfering with the swimming

**Waterways** · 06-30-2009

Originally Posted by gregs dad

I am uneasy with inland canal barges being moored in these docks. Deep water vessels should be here, as that is our heritage. Recall this is a World Heritage Site. Although a part of the history of the docks, these barges just do not fit in when few other types of vessels are around. They are inland waterway vessels.

Excavating Toxteth and Harrington Docks should be undertaken moving the companies on the estate to proper industrial and commercial units in suitable parts of the city. The excavated docks can act as overspills for flood prevention and moorings for these barges. The deep water vessels can then be accommodated in Canning and Salthouse docks.

George · 06-30-2009

Originally Posted by Waterways

I am uneasy with inland canal barges being moored in these docks.

You do know that these Canal barges erm! Narrow boats bring in a substantial mooring fee don't you?

**Waterways** · 06-30-2009

Originally Posted by George

You do know that these Canal barges erm! Narrow boats bring in a substantial mooring fee don't you?

This is a typical Liverpool mentality. Grab the odd shilling while you can and who cares about heritage or history in a World Heritage Site? The money does go into the public coffers for our benefit, that is for sure. BTW, the first 14 days are free.

They are canal barges.

George · 06-30-2009

Originally Posted by Waterways

They are canal barges.

I hate using Wiki as the primary source but....

Although some narrow boats were built to a design based on river barges, it is incorrect to refer to a narrowboat (or narrow boat) as a barge. In the context of the British inland waterways, a barge is usually a much wider, cargo-carrying boat or a modern boat modeled on one, certainly more than 7 feet (2.1 m) wide.

It is also incorrect (or at least incongruous) to refer to a narrowboat as a longboat, although this name was sometimes used in the midlands in working-boat days.

**lindylou** · 06-30-2009

Originally Posted by Waterways

I am uneasy with inland canal barges being moored in these docks. Deep water vessels should be here, as that is our heritage. Recall this is a World Heritage Site. Although a part of the history of the docks, these barges just do not fit in when few other types of vessels are around. They are inland waterway vessels.

Excavating Toxteth and Harrington Docks should be undertaken moving the companies on the estate to proper industrial and commercial units in suitable parts of the city. The excavated docks can act as overspills for flood prevention and moorings for these barges. The deep water vessels can then be accommodated in Canning and Salthouse docks.

I don't like them being there. They don't look right no matter how colourful and pretty they are.