The end of the Long Pound on the K and A

Sunday, 05 June 2011 11:30

The Long Pound is about 15 miles long - so called as it is a stretch between Wootton Rivers Locks and the Devizes Lock Flight of 29 locks. Devizes is the western end and is also the home of the K and A Trust, for the moment. This was our destination today.

The K and A Trust's work boat Avon Vale

The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust has some active volunteers - already mentioned in respect of the extensive reed cutting they have done. As you can see their work boat is well sponsored but we came across an area yet to be cleared .....

Now - here is an example of an area that has not been cleared! Laywood Bridge has plenty of reeds -

This is the bridge

and here is the channel after the bridge

As we passed Devizes Marina (now with new management) we saw one of the "lads" who worked there when we were moored at the Marina. "Hello Vicar" he called! John was know as "the Vicar" by a number of people back then!

Devizes Marina

Things have changed. The chandlery has more or less gone and the boat business is now Devizes Narrowboat Refurbishment. There is a brokerage and a bike and kayak hire service - we liked the name "Pedals and Paddles" - and they also have a day boat for hire.

Marina day boat

The entry into Devizes is marked by a number of bridges. Coate Bridge is a fairly recent bridge, rebuilt in 1990 to accommodate traffic to the new developments either side of it. Click here to see the bridge in 1977. The new one is almost identical!

Coate Bridge, 136

Brickham Bridge has tank defences on it - just seen above the parapet. It carries a minor road that branches off from London Road, the main road into Devizes.

Brickham Bridge

London Road Bridge is by a large right hand bend and has a "blind" approach, so we sounded our horn. We did not meet another boat, but have done so in the past and reversed to allow them to come through. Novice hirers have been known to get into difficulties - particularly the ones from Devizes Wharf, who have just set off from White Horse Boats.

London Bridge

The high-banked, straight cut that was now ahead of us looks as if it should have "rough moorings", but it is very difficult to get in and then climb the bank. That said, we have seen boats moored just before the next bridge - Park Bridge.

The cut with Park Bridge at the end

After Park Bridge is Cemetery Road Bridge, literally leading from the town to the cemetery. Beyond is the Wharf on the left and 72H moorings on the right - would there be room at these popular moorings?

Cemetery Road Bridge

Arriving around 11am is a good idea, as those boats that plan to go down the Devizes Locks will have gone and those coming up will have started at the bottom of the Caen Hill Flight (part of the flight of 29) no earlier that 8am. Caen Hill takes about 2-3 hours, depending on experience, how many boats are using it and if the locks or shared or not. And yes, there was room:

Moored at Devizes on the 72H moorings, Devizes Wharf on the other side

Kennet and Avon Canal, Horton Bridge to Devizes
1 hour, 2.44 miles, 0 locks