BCN Moorings,
The observations I made about the rail side towpath at Galton Bridge produced some worthwhile reponse all be of a nature that seemed to reflect a "do nothing" opinion.
I suppose from the boaters side the former industrial grime of the BCN main line lends few opportunities for the scenic moorings found on more rural parts of the BCN, or indeed, other waterways. There are no hanging gardens or herds of wildebeast sweeping majestically by. Yet my comments included the words "short term moorings". For my part I do not own a boat, but regularly hire them. This gives me the opportunity to experience different navigations.
Few boaters take opinions of hire boaters into account. Even though as a group, we put considerable funds into the network through the hire of boats and keep a number of hire-boating firms in business the length and breadth of the British Canal system and other waterways in Ireland and in Europe.
Most British Canals welcome all forms of boats and often provide suitable moorings for each type. For the hire boater, the breath of fresh air, attractive scenery and the liesurely pace of waterway life is part and parcel of the holiday. Many hire boaters choose the ease of eating and drinking out at canal side hostelries, and this again is part of the holiday experience.
However, I consider suitable moorings just as important. These moorings should have access to shops and post offices. And as a hire boater do not object to where they are as long as they are safe and convenient. Short term moorings do not have to be in a sylvan glade with fairies dancing through the dew. Often the boat is there for one night, and for the keen this can be from dusk to an early get away the next morning.
Moorings at places such as Galton Bridge could be a convenient one night stop. Compared to some places I have moored the grass covered slopes of the historic Telford cutting is preferable to a bridge hole at Oldham on the Rochdale or under a main road at Christleton on the Shropshire Union.
My only reason for the suggestion was to help keep clear a disused piece of heritage footpath where the constriction of the waterway made for the modern tunnel has ensured the silting up of the off side anyway.
Also until we start marking more safe moorings away from the city centre in Birmingham, fewer and fewer boats will choose to use the BCN.
Ray Shill
Offline 
Send Email