Steve Jackson, Commodore recently attempted to wind his 60ft narrowboat immediately above Bosley Top Lock using the feeder channel from Bosley Reservoir but was unable to do so. The limiting factor appears to be insufficient water depth rather than canal width. Based on current conditions and local knowledge, it is believed that the maximum length of boat that can successfully wind at this location is approximately 57ft.
John Suggitt, your AWCC Representative for NCCC, discussed the matter with Steve and will submit a request to the Canal & River Trust (CRT) asking that they dredge the offside of the canal in the vicinity of the reservoir feeder and undertake de-weeding of the feeder channel. These improvements may restore the ability for longer boats to wind at this location, but no timescale is currently available.
In the meantime, members should be aware of the operational implications, particularly when the Bosley Lock flight is closed. For boats longer than 57ft wishing to access the waste disposal facilities located adjacent to the top lock, the available options are:
- Wind approximately 1.5 miles before reaching the lock flight and reverse back to the facilities.
- Cruise to the facilities and then reverse approximately 1.5 miles to the nearest winding point.
- Walk approximately 1.5 miles each way.
If the lock flight is open, a winding hole exists between Locks 11 and 12. However, this requires descending 11 locks to turn and then returning up the flight after using the facilities, which may not be practical for all boaters.
Until any dredging or maintenance works are completed, members with boats longer than 57ft should plan accordingly when navigating the Bosley area.
Many thanks