I often take a walk along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal towpath. There's usually something to see and on this day there were several hire boats.
Some stretches of the canal over in Lancashire have been closed this summer because of low water levels in the feeder reservoirs, caused by the drought. From the middle of August (a couple of days after I took these photos) these restrictions also closed all the locks between Bingley and Leeds, including the famous Five Rise Locks. I don't suppose they take such action lightly, given the amount of holiday traffic along the canal. It will have spoiled a lot of people's plans. The towpath is still open but it's not quite the same fun when you know you won't see any boats cruising past.
The lock gates are padlocked and the gates have been 'ashed', the gaps plugged with ash to prevent water leakage.
It looks like a pleasant spot for a stroll. Hopefully the water levels rebound over the fall.
ReplyDeleteI imagine that boats will still be permitted to travel along the long and lockless seventeen mile pound between Gargrave bottom and Bingley Five top lock. If so it would certainly help the Skipton people to continue operating their passenger boat "Cobbeydale" and their day boats. Certainly the Apperley Bridge boat hire firm will be hard hit.
ReplyDeleteThat is amazing that it has been so dry over there!
ReplyDeleteI sure wish I could fit on one of these longboats.
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