South Locks

Thursday, 15 October 2009 07:54

Say it with a Northern Accent and what do you get?

"Slattocks", apparently! We had a quiet night above the locks here, despite the main roundabout very nearby!

On the moorings was a vandalised BW tug - Rishton. all the electrics taken out, windows broken and inside gutted

There is a water tap in 1st Laneside Lock or Slattocks Lock (54) so we both (Gypsy Rover and Epiphany) took on water before beginning our descent of the six lock flight. Looking down the flight from the bridge below the first lock, I spied a wheel on the parapet. I presume this was for the rope to the horse as it pulled the work boat out of the lock?

There is certainly no shortage of water on the descent into Manchester, as at some locks the water spilled over the top gates and the bywashes were fierce.

Cascade at 4th Laneside Lock (57)

There are two striking railway bridges on this section. One is between the 5th and 6th Laneside Locks (58 and 59) and the other below Scowcroft Lock (61)

Railway Bridges 68 B and 69A

It was so sad to see the vandalised Boarshaw Bridge 69

I gather that the far parapet was pushed off and then at a later date the bricks on the lock side parapet were "acquired" by demolishing it brick by brick and then taken away for who knows what purpose.

Looking through demolished parapet to Boarshaw Lock (60)

What a lovely bridge(or it was) - from below

We had three more locks to go before our chosen mooring at River Irk Aqueduct (near Chadderton) - Scowcroft Lock (scene of Railway Bridge 69A as above), followed in quick succession by Coney Green (62)  and Walkmill Lock (63). The visitor moorings are on the bend just below this lock.

We tried to moor the far side of the aqueduct where there were more bollards, only to find that it was absolutely impossible. There is a shelf under the water about 2 feet away from the bank - only John could step the gap!

We reversed back over the aqueduct and moored in front of Gypsy Rover, again on bollards. It was good to have a relaxing afternoon as tomorrow is an early start for the 20 locks down into Manchester and Ducie Street Junction.  I shall not be locking, but maybe I shall have another short spell on the tiller - I brought Epiphany through the last two locks today and it felt so good!

Rochdale Canal, Slattocks to Irk Aqueduct - 2 hours 44 minutes, 1.74 miles, 10 locks