Arthur Marshall

Hoicking up the licence costs would make little or no difference to liveaboards on universal credit, and obviously wouldn't affect an increasing number if unlicenced craft. What it would do is reduce severely the number of leisure boats, especially as the system gets less and less viable.

It's marked on the stoppages page as completed. What that means is anyone's guess but boats appear to be moving again.

Twenty years ago I do think what we paid CRT /BW was good value. The crucial thing to remember is that the whole system is a depreciating asset designed and built for an entirely different purpose. When that purpose largely ended it fell into disrepair, and was recovered by enthusiasts and volunteers. But, like most of the millennium projects, that just sorted the initial cost and did absolutely nothing for continued maintenance. Most millennium projects have closed for the same reason. The heritage aspect doesn't help as it means cheaper ways of fixing stuff isn't allowed. Whether it's good value now is a bit moot. Climate change looks like it's going to make the system unviable in the near future anyway. There is a limit on how much can be spent on a playthimg for well off people. My rule of thumb has always been whether it's cheaper for me to run the boat than it would be to hire one for the same amount of cruising time. Usually it's been half as much. This year it's par. That's what concentrates the mind.

It's a bit like unaffordable "affordable" housing... The auction system is irrelevant because CRT skew the system by setting the acceptable rates and, of course, by restricting supply. There are plenty of unbought CRT moorings - any true auction would have found a purchaser. Most liveaboards on moorings are on those technically leisure only. It's only sensible to admit it. If the local council want to pursue the occupants for tax that's up to them. On current evidence, they don't think it's worthwhile. Actual residential moorings have more facilities so justifiably charge more. If anyone can think of another way CRT can raise more money, apart from monetising the towpath, it would be interesting to hear it. They've already sold off everything else they can, including, rather unfortunately, the water.

There's something on the left of the fuse button with what looks like an arrow. Not some kind of locking thing?

You can suffer from physical health, if your health isn't good. it's just shorthand, and as it's obvious what it means, quibbling about words doesn't really help. Anyway, it seems the problem is sorted, the OP has installed an alternator themselves and Tony has advised that the wiring loom is no dodgier than any other.

It simply has to be made commercially viable. And the only way to do that is to satisfy the demand for reasonably priced online mooring where people want them, with no discrimination between leisure and residential, even if it spoils the pleasure of leisure cruisers on holiday.

No need for any of that. It's perfectly obvious what the OP meant.

Relatively new users do sometimes find the quote mechanism tricky I think there's a bit of misunderstanding going on here, which does happen if someone's in a bit of a panic because the power's gone off

Tony meant he would have said something rude to the RCR bloke for talking rubbish. Some RCR engineers are excellent, and some are, frankly, rubbish. I've had two walk away and leave me stranded (one saying "oh, I don't do Listers" after me stressing to RCR that that's what I'd got)and two absolutely first rate. And, of course, one who got RCR banned from my mooring for swearing at the owner. I'd phone RCR and ask for a second opinion at least, but remember their policy doesn't cover domestic alternators. It may be cheaper just to get to your nearest boatyard and ask them.

Damn, I forgot. Yes, I think it was the Stoke locks that shut. You should still be able to escape.

I'd get another quote from an independent engineer. RCR blokes tend to be young and very inexperienced One I had who replaced the starter , had to phone someone else to learn how to wire it up. In fact he just hadn't connected the main earth , which I finally noticed.

If they're that short of water, I doubt the lower T&M will be open by then. Last time they shut the north bit, the south bit closed two weeks later, and even then I had to wait two days before we could get through the Harecastle as boats were getting stuck in it. I've given up on this year's summer trip after 3 weeks and just going back to my lower Macc mooring while I can. If I can find a space in October I'll get out for a few weeks then, assuming it rains at all before then. Next year I'll try April...

I especially like that bit. I think it means forget the boat and go abroad.

Marple & Bosley Lock Flights Details Type: Navigation Restriction Waterway(s): Peak Forest Canal, Macclesfield Canal From: 4 July 2025, 8:30am To: On-going Region: North West Reason: Low Water Levels Subject to review on: 22 August 2025 Locations Location 1 Closest waterway: Macclesfield Canal Starts at: Bosley Lock 1 Ends at: Bosley Lock 12 Location 2 Closest waterway: Peak Forest Canal Starts at: Lock 1 Ends at: Lock 16 Descriptions Update 16 July 2025, 3:19pm Over the last few weeks, despite some rainfall the reservoirs that supply the Macclesfield and Peak Forest canals have not seen any significant refilling. Consequently, and unfortunately, we now need to suspend navigation through the Marple & Bosley lock flights from Monday 11 August 2025. We anticipate that the canals will remain closed for several weeks, but this is entirely weather dependent. Mooring restrictions will be suspended at the locations listed below to allow those waiting for the canals to re-open, to moor during the closure. Mooring Locations where restrictions will be relaxed are: Macclesfield Canal - Below lock 12 Bosley Moorings Macclesfield Canal - Above Lock 1 Between Bridges 53 & 54 Macclesfield Canal - Between Bridges 1 – 3 Marple Moorings Peak Forest Canal – Below Lock 1 to Marple Aqueduct To conserve as much water as possible, the lock flights will be padlocked closed and secured against operation and the gates will be 'ashed up' to reduce leakage. We apologise for the inconvenience and disruption this may cause to your boating plans. By implementing this closure, we hope it will allow our customers to plan your journeys knowing what to expect over the summer months as our teams continue to work hard to conserve water at every opportunity. In the meantime, the restricted operating times will continue, however following customer feedback, the days of operation have changed. From Monday 21 July up until Sunday 10 August, the following operating times and days will apply: Bosley Lock Flight – open Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays Open from 8:30am to allow passage through the flight.