WW GUIDE THE AND ASHTON You begin in urban – and 21 miles later, you’re in a historic basin in the glorious , moored up beside a real pub. Richard Fairhurst savours a fine journey

The FOR MANY YEARS, THE ASHTON CANAL was synonymous with all that was wrong with urban waterways. The 1896 Oarsman’s Guide was uncompromising: “Its course is entirely through a manufacturing district with the usual unpleasant surroundings. The vapour rising from its waters caused by the factories on the banks, condensing their exhaust Bugsworth steam therein, is sometimes so thick as Basin. to make it diffi cult to see one’s way.” Downloaded by David A Calverley from waterwaysworld.com

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1 1 – By the 1960s, its star had sunk lower note the duplicated still. Though never formally closed, it was chamber. totally unnavigable: its channel dry, its lock-gates rotten or swinging loose. Local councillors and anxious parents demanded its infi lling. Its branches to and Hollinwood were abandoned, and the main line, like so many industrial urban waterways, looked set to go the same way. What saved it was an idea fi rst hatched in 1965: the Ring. Adventurous holidaymakers were beginning to discover the canal system, and circular routes were perfect for a week’s holiday. The Ashton and adjacent canals would provide the ‘missing link’ in one such route. Volunteers from the Society, the Inland Waterways Association, and (latterly) the new Waterway Recovery 2 Group set about bringing the canal back to life. Operation Ashton, in 1968, was followed in 1972 by Ashtac; and by 1974, navigation was possible once again. The restored canal earned a reputation as ‘bandit country’, not least due to some hair-raising incidents of vandalism in the 1980s and ‘90s, and security staff took to escorting boats through. But the situation now is greatly improved – not least thanks to the Commonwealth Games of 2002, staged at ‘SportCity’ beside the canal. The towpath, once a no-go area, became a popular walking and cycling route from the city The Strawberry centre, while new housing was built Duck at Lock 13. in some of the most run-down areas. For today’s boater, then, the Ashton Canal poses no particular anxiety. You 3 should take the usual care: moor only in recognised places, be prepared for trips down the weed hatch to clear plastic bags and other rubbish, and be aware that water levels may be low on occasion. Don’t cruise late at night, but try to stick to daylight hours. Locking your front doors while underway is a sensible precaution, though almost certainly not necessary. But this is an interesting canal, as well as a useful one – so enjoy the cruise. Central Manchester The canal starts at Ducie Street Junction, in the shadow of Manchester Piccadilly Safe mooring in station. To the west is the ‘Nine’, Thomas Telford Basin. the spectacular but arduous descent Downloaded by David A Calverley from waterwaysworld.com

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SportCity 4 Original canal cottage All this new wealth stops abruptly above beside the Islington Arm, with ‘Chips’ in the locks, for a brief burst of the ‘old’ the background. Ashton: semi-derelict mills, gas-holders, and waste ground. This pound is popular with (friendly) anglers, its narrow, green towpath rather more comfortable than the austere surroundings of . But this lasts for just half a mile before another surprising modern development. SportCity was the venue for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, and is still much in use today. Britain’s medal-winning cycling team has its at the velodrome, while Manchester City have decamped from their historic base of Maine Road to the new Etihad Stadium – as you’ll see should you cruise through when they’re playing at home. The four Beswick Locks thread their way through the site, and you’re almost guaranteed to meet well-meaning gongoozlers asking “do you live on the boat, mister?”. Lock 4 is shallow at under 4ft, the next three averaging almost 12ft each. The top lock (7), past the road bridge, retains its old lock cottage, incongruous but reassuring in such a modern area. The Clayton Flight For now, SportCity is the limit of through central Manchester, and another Alsop’s Chips, by Lock 3, is the real regeneration. Lock 8 marks the start of the crucial link in the . To the eye-catcher – a colourful, fluid Clayton Flight, nine locks which remain north-east, the , reopened stack with river names emblazoned much as they’ve always been. Some will in 2002, heads off to the Pennines. You across it in giant type. choose to hurry through, but anyone would be forgiven for not noticing the What makes the scene unique is that with a nose for industrial heritage will discreet entrance to the Ashton Canal, this modern design exists beside the canal find this an interesting cruise. Numerous a modest canal bridge dwarfed by the heritage. Between the two locks, the short of the canalside factories are still in use. modern apartments towering above. Islington Arm heads north under a brick Security fences ostensibly prevent access Indeed, apartments and other new towpath bridge, watched over by a canal to and from the canal, but on any sunny housing dominate the first half-mile of the cottage. Lock 1 was once paired, and the lunchtime, you’ll see workmen leaning out Ashton. A sharp 90° turn is followed by second chamber, now derelict, can still be the doors to enjoy a waterside sandwich. , which like most such seen. The Ancoats Locks are fairly deep, After Lock 10, the deepest narrow lock structures (Pontcysyllte excepted!) is more with an average rise of 8ft each: you will in Britain (and the world?), look for a dramatic from below than above. Its 45° need a British Waterways T-key for the anti- redundant towpath bridge to the south. skew was an engineering breakthrough when vandal locks, and the usual dose of patience This was the entrance to the 5-mile, lock- built in 1798; if you have time, walk down for the hydraulic paddle gear. BW’s roving free Stockport Arm, closed in the 1960s from your mooring to Store Street for a look. lengthsmen, who work across all the East (WW November 2009) but now proposed The safest local mooring is Thomas Manchester waterways, will sometimes for restoration. The Strawberry Duck pub, Telford Basin, on the south side of the appear here in their pick-up truck, ready to beside Lock 13, once had the reputation of canal. Visiting boaters are welcome here, offer assistance or advice on navigating the being even more intimidating than a cruise a secure basin within the Piccadilly Ashton, and warn of any low pounds ahead. along the Ashton Canal: today it, too, is development. You’ll need to ask Above Lock 2, a lift-bridge on the friendly and welcoming, with Holts real a resident for the keypad code to get in towpath (north) side opens up to a brand ales. The lock was once crossed by a swing- and out. (Athletic boaters may choose to new canal arm, providing new moorings bridge, giving access to factories on the hurdle the barrier!) You can also moor and opportunities for still more canalside south bank. Most have since been cleared, in the new Rochdale at regeneration. Because of the recession, but you’ll see intriguing cast-iron remnants Ducie Street. Piccadilly Village was the work on the ‘New Islington’ urban village and crumbling archways dotting the banks. first step to gentrifying the Ashton, and has proceeded rather slower than intended, At Lock 16, the top of the flight, it’s is fairly sensitively done with replica but several streets of cheerful modern wise for a crew member to stay on the cranes and heritage-style lighting. housing make an entertaining detour for bank. Not only are there two manually As the three Ancoats Locks begin, the architecturally curious. Frustratingly, operated swing-bridges along here, the however, this modest brick architecture the new arm off the Ashton almost meets a pound is susceptible to low water levels: gives way to something more assertive: counterpart from the Rochdale Canal – but you may need to run up to the next lock Regeneration with a capital R, all sharp a low-level road crossing, full of buried to let a little water down. Kids flock to the angles and glass frontages. The tower beside pipes and cables (expensive to reroute), towpath from the surrounding housing Lock 1 is fairly typical urban design, but Will prevents the connection being made. estates but are generally friendly! Downloaded by David A Calverley from waterwaysworld.com

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WALKING AND CYCLING THE UPPER PEAK FOREST is one of the most appealing afternoon walks on the canal system. A manageable length, with excellent views, a pub at each end and return train transport, it’s the ideal day out for the Manchester-based waterway fancier. The Cheshire Ring, including the Lower Peak Forest and the Ashton, was at one point promoted as a long-distance waterway walk. The signs are a little tatty and the project seems to have gone into abeyance, but there are plenty of waymarked routes nearby for the boat-borne rambler. The Tame Valley Way and will give you a valley- floor viewpoint to complement the higher vistas of the towpath: clamber down the hillside near Marple Aqueduct for some very both as a way to avoid Manchester’s route through the Goyt Valley, connecting pleasant ‘country ’ walking. dangerous arterial roads, and as a link to Marple to nearby Stockport. The path was And, of course, there’s the Peak District the area’s traffic-free railway paths. The being finished off as we went to press. But itself. The best walks are from Bugsworth: Peak Forest towpath east of for the ambitious cyclist, Bugsworth, again, head north over Churn and Cracken has recently been resurfaced and makes is the place to go – where the epic Pennine Edge, or south to Eccles Pike for outstanding a pleasant leisure cycling route; north of Cycleway crosses. Follow it to New Mills for views on a clear day. OS Landranger map is also cyclable. a moderately strenuous ride, or further north 110 is all you need. In the local area, Sustrans’ Lottery-funded to Marsden (on the Huddersfield Narrow) if The Ashton Canal is popular with cyclists Connect2 project is building a delightful new you really want to test your lungs!

Fairfield to Portland Basin 5 The entrance to the The two Fairfi eld Locks lift the Ashton to its summit. Both Stockport Branch. were paired in the 1820s to accommodate high traffi c volumes. Though the second chambers are out of use, the canal remains busy here – with canoeists; the Water Adventure Centre shares premises here with the BW operational base. Rich in canal heritage, Fairfield Junction could with a little imagination become a third regeneration hotspot for the Ashton. Indeed, work has started with a new apartment block above the locks, and the restoration of the fi rst hundred yards of the Hollinwood Branch – an intriguing waterway to the idyllic sounding Daisy Nook, and the rather more sinister Crime Lake. Like the Stockport Branch, it is at the early stages of restoration. We reported on progress in WW August 2011, and also suggested a visit to the fascinating Fairfi eld Moravian Settlement, a Conservation Area just west from Bridge 17. The fi nal mile to Portland Junction is level and without diffi culty. Watch out for Lumb Lane Bridge 21, one of the lowest on the system at 6ft 4in. The Ashton Packet 6 Boat Company has a working boatyard here, the turnaround point for one-way trips across the Pennines by Shire Cruisers of Sowerby Bridge. Just as the crumbling mills and factories of the Ashton have a certain forlorn canal charm, Guide Bridge has a lonely railway appeal. It was once an important outpost on the Great Central network, later electrifi ed as the busy Woodhead route across the Pennines. Today, the quiet sidings, uncared-for station buildings, and redundant gantries stand in fellowship with the once industrial canal. Look out for the site of a railway/canal interchange basin. The de facto end of the Ashton Canal is Portland Basin and Dukinfi eld Junction, where the Peak Forest Canal begins. Offi cially, the Ashton continues for another half- mile, tunnelling under an Asda supermarket, to Whitelands Basin: here the Huddersfi eld Narrow takes over on its 74- The Ashton lock climb across the Pennines. But this month, at least, the Packet Boat Company’s yard. 16-lock Peak Forest is a more manageable challenge… Downloaded by David A Calverley from waterwaysworld.com

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1 2 Samuel Oldknow’s 3 Warehouse, Marple.

Leaving Marple Locks. Marple Aqueduct. ROBIN SMITHETT ROBIN SMITHETT 4

Portland Basin.

Lower Peak Forest Canal THE DIFFERENCE IS IMMEDIATE. presents a benign face to the canal. The mills, railway yards and suburbia Its canalside mills are well kept and of the Ashton give way to leafy attractive. Well-respected greenery. ‘Peak Forest’ is a gentle, rural builders Warble were once based here: name, and this canal is determined their business was taken over by the to live up to it from mile 1. notorious Lees Boatbuilders, who With no locks until Marple, it’s collapsed in 2006 owing £500,000. easy to hurry through the fi rst seven The towpath fl its from side to side miles of the Lower Peak Forest. on roving bridges, as Hyde gives way Conventional wisdom holds that the to unabashed greenery with distant ‘Upper’ is the real gem, but we think views of impressive mills. From here there’s little to call between the two. to Marple Aqueduct, the Peak Forest’s Take it slowly, and moor up now and determination to remain on the then for an off-towpath exploration. level makes for a varied set of canal Junction, the start of the crossings: Apethorne Aqueduct, little canal, is as good a place to do this as more than a hole in the embankment, any. It’s overlooked by Portland Basin, is followed by overbridges in both a local museum which is also home to slim metal and sturdy local stone. part of the Wooden Canal Boat Society’s Tunnels, too. Woodley Tunnel is fl eet – a worthy, if perpetually under- just 165 yards long – no chance of funded, combination of social enterprise unexpectedly meeting an oncoming and heritage champions. You can moor boat head-on. Woodley itself, shielded here overnight. Alternatively, turn by trees, makes little impact on the under the elegant towpath bridge, across canal. The hillside rears up to the the aqueduct, and left into Portland east at a place known, unaffectedly, Basin Marina, which offers secure as ‘Top o’ th’ Hill’, before the overnight mooring for a modest cost. workaday suburb of Romiley. Of course, you can also continue The canal sails serenely across along the Peak Forest to a place where two hefty aqueducts, Hatherlow and you feel comfortable and tie up on Chadkirk, as the roads barrel down the towpath. As if to emphasise the hill on frightening inclines. The the semi-rural nature of the canal, Peak Forest truly is clinging to the Bridge 1 is a lift-bridge – for many hillside here, rather reminiscent of Cheshire Ring hire-boaters, the fi rst the Mon & Brec if a little less wild. one they’ve ever encountered! The bright white Oakwood Mill Hyde spoils the effect slightly with a marks a rare industrial outpost. motorway bridge and modern industrial Hyde Bank Tunnel, at 310 yards, ‘sheds’ just in view, but largely is longer than Woodley but still short Downloaded by David A Calverley from waterwaysworld.com

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RESTORATION 5 The thick of the 6 Marple Flight.

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Ó SAVING THE CANALS No-one today would countenance closing these two canals. But the 1960s was a very different era – and it was at places like Marple Aqueduct that the battle for the waterways was won. Barely navigable and passing through surroundings that were hardly the Llangollen, the Ashton of the early ’60s seemed like any other redundant Hire-boating urban waterway. The Peak Forest at Marple. Railway bridge could perhaps have made a name for ROBIN SMITHETT and Woodley Tunnel. itself in the leisure cruising age – but 8 without the Ashton, it would be merely enough to see through to the other end. a withered arm. When the harsh winter Despite appearances, it’s less than 14ft of 1961-2 caused serious frost damage wide: so if you see another boat coming, to Marple Aqueduct, the game was up. wait! Rose Hill ‘Tunnel’, which follows, is Sure enough, in 1964, the British now just a deep cutting with high walls, Waterways Board identified the two the original tunnel having been opened canals as candidates for formal closure. out. Again, there is no room to pass here. With the IWA busy fighting battles Suddenly, seven miles of tree cover elsewhere, the Peak Forest Canal drops away and Marple Aqueduct is upon Posset Bridge Society was formed in June that year us. It’s a stunning structure, but you’ll and its horse tunnel. – in the face of opposition from BWB, have to take our word for it as it’s famously which refused permission for the PFCS diffi cult to photograph. The Goyt Valley is with good reason. Some of it is obvious at to work on the crumbling Marple Locks. so wooded that any photo from beneath fi rst glance: the aqueduct, the locks, and The PFCS had set itself a ends up as a mere tangle of green. Indeed, Samuel Oldknow’s warehouse below Lock monumental task. Saving the Peak the best way to get a snap is to hang out 10 with its indoor boat-dock. Oldknow, an Forest meant saving the Ashton; the window of a train on the parallel 18th century weaving magnate, was also saving the Ashton meant saving the railway viaduct! The north edge has no chief promoter of the Peak Forest Canal. Rochdale Nine; and the private owners parapet, giving good views of the railway. But look closer, and you’ll discover hidden of the Rochdale Nine, interested Under the railway, it’s straight into heritage. Posset Bridge has a (rather damp) only in property and water supply, Marple Locks – the only ones on the Peak horse tunnel under the road. Several wanted rid. How best to promote Forest. With 16 locks in a mile, each one locks have ‘mason’s marks’, signature the cause of these three waterways? rising around 13ft, it’s one of the steepest symbols of the illiterate stonemasons. What better than a catchy name fl ights on the system. The pounds are of Towards the top of the fl ight, the – and the ‘Cheshire Ring’ was born. uneven sizes, and around the middle of surroundings become more residential. The campaign was arduous. Its first the fl ight, this frequently leads to half- The locks come close together, so landmark was the historic IWA Marple empty pounds. As a result, mooring is much so that the pounds need to Rally of 1966, which made BWB’s prohibited within the fl ight. If you’ve extend sideways to hold enough water refusal to countenance restoration work arrived late in the evening, tie up just – making attractive water features untenable. 1968 saw volunteers descend after the aqueduct – or back towards Rose for some lucky canalside residents. en masse for the mud and ceaseless rain Hill and Hyde Bank tunnels if you prefer Glance at the roofs of the terraced of Operation Ashton; the exercise was not to be woken up by passing trains. houses alongside, and you’ll appreciate repeated in 1972 with Ashtac. By then, As part of the Cheshire Ring and a just how sharply you’re climbing. BWB had been brought round, and the popular canal in itself, the fl ight can be As you emerge at Marple Top Lock, the Cheshire Ring finally opened in 1974. busy on summer days. An early start is not Macclesfi eld Canal turns to the right under The Peak Forest Canal Society no longer a bad idea. Every summer seems to bring the fi ne Junction Bridge. Even if you’re not exists, but it has perhaps the finest another boater-induced stoppage here, heading south, do moor up here and take memorial of any waterway organisation so keep clear of the sill not just for your a short walk down the ‘Macc’, past the – two popular, restored canals. own benefi t, but that of everyone else! narrows (and the sanitary station) to the Marple is proud of its canal history, and friendly, canal-focused Ring o’Bells pub. Downloaded by David A Calverley from waterwaysworld.com

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1 2 3 Watch for the lift-bridges!

The Upper Peak Forest Matlows’ sweet can be busy. factory at New Mills. 4 5

Marple Junction Peak District hills (with antique sign). outside Marple.

Upper Peak Forest Canal WITH THE CHESHIRE RING TURNING SOUTH offer your services to lower the bridge again. AT MARPLE, you might expect the cul-de-sac The Peak Forest might not have the industry Upper Peak Forest to be a haven of tranquillity. of the Ashton, but New Mills has perhaps If that were ever the case, it certainly isn’t now. the most memorable canalside factory of all: Always a beautiful, scenic canal, its appeal has Swizzels-Matlow. Love Hearts, Drumsticks, been doubled by the reopening of . Parma Violets and Double Lollies are among the Nestling in the ‘Peak’ countryside that gives the old-fashioned sweets made here. You’ll smell canal its name, this maze of transhipment basins a few hundred yards before you see must be among the fi nest moorings in Britain. it. Down on the valley fl oor, New Mills town There’s even a real ale pub to complete the scene. is worth a visit, with its traditional butchers Before that, though, come six miles of lock- and bakers. Town guides and walk books are free cruising along the side of the Goyt valley. available from the Heritage & Information The Upper Peak Forest presents a very different Centre (01663 746904, closed Mondays). aspect to the Lower. Below Marple, by and large, New Mills Marina is just after the Matlows you can’t see the valley for the trees. Above factory, and Furness Vale Marina a mile further Marple, though, the scenery is more open. The on. Both are offl ine moorings rather than separate views across the valley to the Pennines are sure basins. The canal here is narrow at the best of to tempt the boating rambler: signs erected by times and fairly bendy. There are frequent moored the Peak & Northern Footpaths Society (est. boats, and a swing bridge, too. In other words, 1894) point the way. Railway enthusiasts will this section can be quite a test for the boater on a enjoy pointing at the varied passing traffi c on busy day. Go slowly and keep a beady eye out. the two lines, one on each side of the valley. The bends and bridges take you to a Y- And everyone is sure to cast covetous eyes shaped junction, formally known as Bridgemont at the idyllic canalside houses, starting with Junction though rarely called that. Right Top Lock Cottage by Marple Junction. Until is ; left, under the modern this spring, boat-handling fi rm Top Lock A6 bypass, leads to Bugsworth Basin. Training was based here – what a place to Before Bugsworth reopened, the canal from have your fi rst taste of narrowboating! here to Whaley Bridge was often full with There may be no locks, but there are two lift visiting boats. Mooring is a little easier now, bridges then two swing bridges above Marple. but the town is still worth a visit despite the You will need a BW key for the swing bridges, competing attractions of Bugsworth. Whaley and a windlass and T-key for the lift bridges. Bridge’s own canal basin, complete with Pity the poor crew member who hops off to warehouse, was the starting point for the raise the bridge for their boat, and is then stuck & High Peak Railway. Opened in waiting for another six to pass through on this 1831, this early horse-drawn line traversed busy canal. If you’re following another boat, do the high hills to ’s . Downloaded by David A Calverley from waterwaysworld.com

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6 7 AT A GLANCE Ó PUBS Manchester: There are far too many pubs in Manchester for a humble waterway magazine to judge them all, though we’d enjoy trying. Near to the Ashton, we’d suggest checking out the Port Street Beer House in Ancoats (north of the Rochdale Canal), a startling modern take on the real ale pub; and the much more traditional Jolly Angler on Ducie Street, just east of the junction. Further west, once you’ve finished the Rochdale Nine, you’ll need some refreshment – and fortunately, the area has excellent pubs. Moored up Lovely canalside Strawberry Duck, Clayton.* Much at Bugsworth. living near Marple. improved locals’ boozer by Lock 13 of the Ashton with Holts bitter. Ring O’Bells, Marple.* Canalside by Wagons were hauled up inclined plans the Canal, this is a friendly by stationary engines. Though the line a process that took some 40 years. Robinsons pub where you can enjoy didn’t survive Dr Beeching, the southern Unlike the Fradleys and Foxtons of this warming pub grub in a Boaters’ Bar, half is now a justly popular cycle route. world, the crowds haven’t discovered piled high with copies of WW and a Whaley Bridge has Italian and Indian Bugsworth. Ramblers and local dog-walkers Geoprojects map on the wall! restaurants and several takeaways. may know about it, but for the most part, Midland Hotel, Marple Bridge. Down The supermarket, conveniently, is this is a pleasure reserved to boaters. in the valley, a welcoming refurbished just by Bridgemont Junction. Mooring is restricted to 48 hours: not all pub with well-prepared food and a good We’d hazard a guess, however, that the banks that look suitable for mooring range of real ale. Bugsworth Basin is what most boaters actually are, so at busy times, be prepared The Sportsman, . Changing real have come to see. It was built from stone, to shift up to give space for other boats. ales and filling pub grub. and for stone; limestone was loaded In those 48 hours, be sure to visit Fox Inn, Strines. A hefty walk uphill from onto mineral wagons at the the Navigation Inn, a friendly pub with Strines, but worth it: an old-fashioned country pub, worth interrupting your Quarries, then sent downhill to Bugsworth hearty pub food and good beer. The little Peak District walk for. for onward transport by narrowboat. village alongside calls itself , Dog & Partridge, Whaley Bridge. Just It would be special in any state, but its inhabitants having tired of its ‘buggy’ before the junction, a friendly pub with it is the Inland Waterways Preservation image in the early 20th century. excellent value food. Society’s painstaking restoration that The canal and basin have no such Navigation, Bugsworth.* Superbly sited really makes it. Not over-manicured pretences. A waterway as lovely stone-built pub with traditional pub food nor over-interpreted, the basins have as the Peak Forest, and a basin as and real ales. A Peak Forest must. ‘simply’ been returned to near-original picturesque as Bugsworth, have no * indicates canalside. condition – if that’s the right word for need to rebrand themselves.

NAVIGATION NOTES

ESSENTIALS Ó The Ashton and Peak Forest BOATYARDS Hire Repairs Call-out Pump-out Chandlery Diesel canals provide an intriguing Ashton Packet Boat Co ✱ ✔ ✗ ✔ ✗ ✔ mix of densely urban and 0161 320 8338 Portland Basin Marina spectacularly rural scenery, taking 0161 330 3133 ✗ ✔ ✗ ✔ ✗ ✔ the waterway traveller from the Furness Vale Marina very heart of Manchester to the 01663 747475 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✔ ✔ ✔ hills of the Peak Forest Canal. Ó The Ashton Canal, once * One-way hire available from Shire Cruisers, 01422 832712. feared for its intimidating nature, has undergone significant Upper Peak Forest Canal is Ó Peak Forest Canal: OTHER MAPS & GUIDES improvements in the last ten increasingly popular with the Length 72ft, beam 7ft, draught Ó Nicholsons Guide to the years, though care still needs reopening of Bugsworth Basin. 3ft, headroom 7ft Waterways 5: North-West to be exercised when mooring Ó A T-key is required for the and Pennines overnight or leaving a craft NAVIGATION AUTHORITIES Ashton Canal locks; a T-key and Ó Pearsons Canal Companion: unattended. BW escorts are no Ó British Waterways windlass for the Peak Forest Cheshire Ring longer provided but staff may (Manchester & Pennine): lift-bridges; and a BW key for Ó monitor your progress through 01782 785703 Geoprojects Map: the 18 locks. the swing-bridges. Macclesfield and Peak Ó The Ashton and Lower WATERWAY SOCIETIES Forest Canals Peak Forest canals form part DIMENSIONS Ó IWA: Manchester Branch: Ó Ordnance Survey of the Cheshire Ring and can, Ó Ashton Canal: Length 72ft, 01942 679310 Landranger Maps: 109 accordingly, be very busy in beam 7ft, draught 3ft, Ó Inland Waterways Protection (Manchester) and 110 (Sheffield peak season. Similarly, the headroom 6ft 4in Society: 0161 427 7402 & Huddersfield)

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