The LANCASTER CANAL - N.3 - NORTHERN REACHES - Tewitfield to Kendal

THE NORTHERN REACHES of the Lancaster Canal,became seperated from the rest of the canal during the building of the M6 in the 1960s.Unfortunately the M6 work was carried out at a time when no leisure or tourism future was foreseen for the then virtually disused sections,only some of which were left partially in water,culverts today carrying the supply flow in several road crossings.Since the M6 blunders the A591 and others since have crossed the dry line making restoration even more complicated and expensive.However all the issues have been assessed and full details of the restoration plans can be seen on the Lancaster Canal Trust website (see link on photos).Meanwhile please enjoy looking at the beautiful course of this pretty section running through Cumbria's lovely South Lakes countryside to Kendal.

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The trip boat WATERWITCH of The Lancaster Canal Trust

SEE THE LCT WEBSITE FOR DETAILS of RESTORATION PLAN:

http://www.lctrust.co.uk/

SEE VIDEO of PRESTON END RESORATION:

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LANCASTER CANAL - N.2 - GARSTANG to TEWITFIELD

We leave the Tithebarn Basin behind and proceed around Garstang,Nateby,Cabus onwards to Ellel and Galgate.Here we meet the Glasson branch,and follow it westwards to Glasson Dock,allowing access to the Lune Estuary and Irish Sea.This was built for large craft so some smaller coasters could enter the canal.The six locks were built to take craft of 72ft long and 14 ft beam.4ft draft.This branch was very busy in it's heyday as it opened up a new connection with the sea.

The impressive LUNE AQUEDUCT at Lancaster

We then move on to Lancaster,over the Lune Aqueduct passing Hest Bank,Bolton le Sands,to Carnforth.Then on via Capernwray and Borwick to Tewitfield,where presently navigation ends,until restoration is complete;SEE:-

http://www.lctrust.co.uk/

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The LANCASTER CANAL from PRESTON to GARSTANG

Swillbrook Marina near Catforth
The Lancaster Canal as we know it today begins 1km out of Preston City Centre at Tulketh Basin.We are presently campaigning to restore the canal into a new terminus at Maudlands(see link in photos).From Tulketh,the canal winds out of Preston past Haslam Park under Tom Benson way to the junction with the Millenium Ribble Link(See Album).From there the canal follows the contour right out around The Fylde Loop,passing Lea,and turning at Salwick round the Hall.North under the M55,turning sharply east by Catforth and Swillbrook.On to Woodplumpton,then turning north west up towards Barton, crossing a superbly built aqueduct over Broughton Brook.There the canal turns to the north and we come to Billsborrow.Leaving the busy village we cross the superbly built Brock Aqueduct ,beyond there is now a new marina nearby.Once under the A6 to Catterall,Bonds,a limekiln and castle at Greenhalgh .We cross John Rennie's majestic aqueduct over the River Wyre,and come to the basin at the south of Garstang.

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Tithebarn Basin,south Garstang,from Wyre Aqueduct

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LEEDS and LIVERPOOL CANAL - E.4. - KEIGHLEY to LEEDS

The famous Bingley Five Rise staircase Locks

From Riddlesden, up the hill NE out of Keighley,over the Aire,the canal winds along the contour above golf courses and parkland into quiet countryside.After quite a few swing bridges,suddenly there is a great staircase of locks,the BINGLEY FIVE-RISE,each running in to the next like steps-a masterpiece of engineering,built in 1774.Not much further on is a THREE-RISE staircase of locks,right by the impressive Damart mill with chimney seen over the Five-rise before.Leaving urban Bingley behind,through the green Dowley Gap locks stretch,then crossing the Aire over a huge stone aqueduct.We then see a smart mill with township,built in 1850 by Sir Titus Salt - called SALTAIRE.On through Shipley passing the junction with former Bradford Branch by Gallows Bridge.Then we drop slowly down beside the Aire passing Apperley Bridge,Rodley and Kirkstall.A branch went to a power station there,today full of boats moored in quiet woodland. Finally arriving at River Lock at Granary Wharf,we reach Leeds.

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Barry arrives at River Lock,Granary Wharf,LEEDS.

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LEEDS and LIVERPOOL CANAL - E.3 - BARNOLDSWICK to KIEGHLEY

Probably the most scenic stretch of this canal;leaving the summit pound at Top Lock Greenberfield near Barnoldswick,the descent through the Yorkshire Dales begins after having climbed through Lancashire to 480ft above sea level.Through rough and rugged countryside the canal winds around Gargrave,locking down over the Aire to picturesque Skipton.The Springs branch runs off here behind the castle,well worth a look - maybe on a trip boat....At canal turn the canal meanders above the Aire up on the shoulder of the valley.There was flooding, so there were freak expanses of water.At Bradley Ings only the Railway embankment was visible at one stage(2007).Then on via Farnhill,Silsden to Keighley following the contours with not many locks but several swing bridges.A very hard ride in places,but breathtaking scenery.Many people were also enjoying their leisure and holidays all along this beautiful stretch of canal.



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CATCH YOU AGAIN ! Barry Clare

LEEDS & LIVERPOOL CANAL - E.2 - Blackburn to Barnoldswick

BLACKBURN was a grimy, smokey,noisy town in the days of the Industrial Revolution;there were 200 chimneys belching smoke and fumes out...but not so today.Enjoy cruising into the East Lancashire countryside,view full album on:

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Leaving Blackburn the canal has few locks but many winding bends through Rishton towards Hapton.There are brick kilns and big holes left by clay mining;in the Industrial revolution there was massive production of Accrington brick exported by the canal to build canalside mills and their housing.Towards Padiham and Burnley there was much quarrying with heavy cargo carried by barges.The Gannow Tunnel goes under a hill emerging in the Weavers Triangle mill area,along the massive embankment out to rural countryside.Thence begins the climb beside lovely Pendle views up Barrowford locks via Foulridge Tunnel to the summit pound some 480ft above sea level .At Barnoldswick we are crossing the Pennines out of Lancashire down into Yorkshire.
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LEEDS and LIVERPOOL CANAL - E.1 Top Lock Wigan to Blackburn

White Bear Marina at Adlington

At the top of Wigan flight,we meet the level pound dug as the Lancaster Canal but later leased and becoming used by The Leeds and Liverpool Co.For details Haigh to Chorley see album:Lancaster Canal Southern Section:

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Bazizfoters/LANCASTERCANALSOUTHERNSECTIONS1HaighAdlingtonAndChorley#

At Johnsons Hillock the canal turns off leaving the former Lancaster line towards Blackburn North-eastwards up the seven locks to Wheelton,quite an exhausting task.The Top Lock pub is a very welcome respite at the top and a good mooring point with BW sanitation and watering facilities.There is then a level pound passing Withnell Fold, and Riley Green.The Contour canal winds through rural countryside to Cherry tree,where the Industrial buildings of Blackburn and several locks begin after an aqueduct over the river Darwen.

The canal was very important to the Blackburn mills and factories in years gone by,many have been adapted to modern uses preserving the canalside character between modern retail centres superceding decrepit parts demolished.More on Blackburn later...

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