Aston and Farmers Bridge lock flights

[NB Alnwick]

I am planning to ascend the Aston and Farmers Bridge lock flights during the evening of Friday, 27th June, with the most capable assistance of 'Cheshire Rose'. Are there any time restrictions on navigating these lock flights?

 

We are planning to start from Aston Bottom lock at around 7 pm and, if possible, continue through the evening. If this is possible can anyone recommend a good fish & chip establishment en-route!

[HYBRID]

Hi, to answer your question there are no restrictions on this flight, however although you obviously know what your doing I will share the advice we recently received for the area.

We took Florence the Northwich Trader Hire boat through Birmingham City Centre down through the Aston flight two weeks ago and completed the Black Country Ring, we were told by other boaters to leave Birmingham early and don’t stop until we were near Kingsbury, which we did in 9 hours with two crew on board. The advice was given to avoid bandits when moored overnight.

Based on our timings if you start at Aston Bottom lock at 7.00pm and assuming you would be best advised not to stop before Farmers Bridge Junction you will be still locking after midnight. Which is ok if that’s your thing.

Look out for the three piece suite around Minworth/Curdwoth various loose cushions floating around and the actual furniture semi submerged, then lots of rubbish from the Aston locks onwards.

Where are you going after Birmingham?

[magpie patrick]

I have twice gone through these locks finsihing well after nine o'clock in the evening and assume the situation hasn't changed. You are probably going in the "right" direction as ascending quickly is easier than descending quickly and you end up in the safe if noisy city centre end rather than the wilds of Aston: I've done the locks both ways at this time.

 

However, my best ever time through all 24 is just under two hours witha well coordinated crew of 6: the boat never stopped moving, we were always going forward or upwards. I'd have thought a crew of two is on more like three hours which may make you very late indeed.

 

Can't help on Chip Shops though I'm afraid

[NB Alnwick]

Look out for the three piece suite around Minworth/Curdwoth various loose cushions floating around and the actual furniture semi submerged, then lots of rubbish from the Aston locks onwards.

Where are you going after Birmingham?

 

Great news and thanks for the advice - locking up until after midnight it is then!

The following morning we shall be heading to the Staffs. & Worcs. Banter, at The Lock at Wolverley, Saturday 28th / Sunday 29th June. Clicky

 

Our route will be via Dudley Port Junction and Nethercote Tunnel.

[RLWP]

Although I am a Brummie and proud of it, there are parts of the city I would prefer not to be in in the evening, and the middle of the Farmers bridge flight is one of them. It is the litter of used condoms and drugs paraphenalia that puts me off.

 

I would moor up offside on the Aston flight outside the Dolland and Aitcheson offices for the night and go up in the morning. We spent a very quiet night there last time, the mooring is alongside a company car park on a site with a security guard in an office at the entrance. I think the moorings are here: Mooring

 

Richard

[StoneHenge]

Just don't wake up the old fellas sleeping under the bridge at Aston locks. They apparently don't appreciate being disturbed, or having their beer warmed up by boaters who have the audacity to use the locks when they are using it as a cooler!

 

Hopefully they will be took tanked up to notice you though!

Edited June 10, 2008 by StoneHenge

[Smelly]

Living at the top of the flight as I do, I can say that any week day you'd probably be ok but Fri and Sat you get lots of undesirables looking to predate on the club trade that backs onto the flight around Newhall St, half way up Farmer's Bridge. I would preach severe caution... You'll be passing the worst bit just as the pubs kick out and there'll be nasty people. Plenty of mugging tales around there at that time of night.

 

Also, there's a hostel at Snow Hill, and during the summer a lot of folk don't bother with it and rough it along the canal, RLWP is right about the paraphenalia; the hostel's the reason, there may well be a good number of paraphenalia users and chaps interested in selling you a variety of talents and substances. If ever you've been under Piccadiliy Plaza on the Rochdale of an evening then you'll get the idea.

 

Vey seriously, stay at Aston overnight and come up Farmer's Bridge the morning after.

 

I used to work in the same building as the Brum traffic wardens, and they found a couple of loaded weapons stashed under Newhall St bridge last year, not that they'd be interested in shooting at you...

 

On the other hand, you'll be mob handed and know where to find a wicked night out by the time you moor...

[John Orentas]

And that convent just outside Stafford, those nuns can be nasty when they have had a skin-full.

 

Our friend Smelly I think is the repository for every silly apocryphal tale from the last thirty years.

[Hairy-Neil]

Based on our timings if you start at Aston Bottom lock at 7.00pm and assuming you would be best advised not to stop before Farmers Bridge Junction you will be still locking after midnight. Which is ok if that’s your thing.

 

I've single handed a 70 foot boat up Aston/Farmers Bridge, it took me just under 4 hours. I'd have thought a competent 3 man crew could trim that considerably.

[Chubby Chaser]

I see you have a chugger - excellent!

 

If you are running late then Curdworth should be your last stop before Birmingham. Don't venture any further in unless you can get to one of two places:

 

1. The moorings close to the Ashted tunnel (if you decide to moor there then go via the Saltley Branch if you don't want to reverse back to the Junction with the Aston & Farmer's Bridge flights).

 

2. The Birmingham Main Line - in which case I would recommend mooring just past the entry to the Oozells Street loop on the same side.

 

You will then be within walking distance of "vibrant" Broad Street if you are into pubs and clubs and also the various eateries centred around Brindley Place.

 

I wouldn't get too put off by the various horror stories you read. Birmingham is no different from anywhere else. I'm sure even Chropredy has its moments. It's just a matter of being sensible and not winding anyone up even if they are trying to wind you up. I can remember years ago chatting to a couple of winos and a glue sniifer. Winos offered my wife a drink and she politely declined. The glue sniffer helped me through the locks and was rewarded with a tip when we reached the top in record time. If you are on your own on the boat (which your website suggests) then it might be prudent to lock the doors and side hatches - but if you do then how can you show off the chugger?!

[RLWP]

And that convent just outside Stafford, those nuns can be nasty when they have had a skin-full.

 

Our friend Smelly I think is the repository for every silly apocryphal tale from the last thirty years.

 

However, the used condoms and crack pipe under the office block are not apocryphal as I saw them myself. The area around Newhall St has a reputation, and I would avoid it on a Friday or Saturday evening. Moor up where I suggested and have a lovely cruise up on Saturday morning when all you will find are joggers and cyclists out enjoying the air. Have a great time and admire the BCN and GWR on the way.

 

Richard

[Hairy-Neil]

and have a lovely cruise up on Saturday morning when all you will find are joggers and cyclists out enjoying the air.

 

I've been up and down Farmers Bridge at various times of the day and have encountered the winos, glue sniffers, people shooting up, even a couple having sex

 

.....and all of these happened in broad daylight. I can't really see what difference the time of day or day of the week would make.

[cheshire~rose]

On the other hand, you'll be mob handed and know where to find a wicked night out by the time you moor...

 

I hope you are not referring to me as being the mob!

 

Mind you with that windlass in my hand I think they better watch out!

 

 

 

I'd have thought a competent 3 man crew could trim that considerably.

 

I don't think The Ginger Cat assists with the locks....... he just supervises so it will be a crew of two

[cheshire~rose]

.....and all of these happened in broad daylight. I can't really see what difference the time of day or day of the week would make.

 

 

Thanks for that Neil....... It is Graham's boat and he will decide what he considers reasonable in the way of risk on this exercise but I get very tired of people who seem to see trouble, doom and gloom around every corner. Yes , we are bound to meet a few people along the route through the city who do not have the benefit of an income such as most of those who read the forum. Those people may have issues in their lives which make then view the world through a different perspective to most. That does not automatically make them dangerous nor mean you have to avoid them at all costs.

 

If less people treated such areas as no go areas then there would be less of a problem.

 

Thanks for making Graham aware of the potential problems we may find. I suspect Graham was already aware that this was likely as it is a city we will me navigating through!

 

I have spent many dark evening working (door to door) in some of the worst areas of Birmingham (often while carrying a laptop computer). Generally speaking the people are lovely and friendly. Like anywhere, you will always get the odd character you have to give a wide berth to. It is better not to over dramatise things too much.

 

I don't scare easily!........... !

[Moley]

Oh what a very sensible post

 

Well Done Rose

 

I absolutely agree, we've locked through Brum, met the winos and potheads, spoke to them as we locked through, had no problem at all. Most people who have problems seem to cause their own problems. Be on your guard, but keep it in perspective.

[bottle]

I don't scare easily!........... !

 

Well you scare me.......easily.

[NB Alnwick]

I've been up and down Farmers Bridge at various times of the day and have encountered the winos, glue sniffers, people shooting up, even a couple having sex

 

.....and all of these happened in broad daylight. I can't really see what difference the time of day or day of the week would make.

 

I can't see why anyone should consider that 'a couple having sex' could be scary - I doubt if they would even notice a boat passing

 

I spent many happy years as a Brewery Area Manager and one of my earliest managed estates in London covered, what the company salubriously referred to as, the 'West End' - yes I had a couple of pubs just off Oxford Street and another at the bottom of Edgware Road but most were in the seedier districts of Notting Hill and Shepherds Bush where anyone, like myself in a city suit and posh motor, was usually greeted with hostility and suspicion. I could write a best seller about what I have seen and the threats I have received whilst doing the rounds late at night or early in the morning.

 

Alnwick will be on a tight schedule in order to rendezvous with the Moles (and the other happy banterers) so we shall ascend the central Brum flights on Friday night and soak up the vibrant city atmosphere.

[Hairy-Neil]

I can't see why anyone should consider that 'a couple having sex' could be scary - I doubt if they would even notice a boat passing

 

Did I say it was scary?

 

I walked by within 4 feet of them, coupled on a towpath bench. As I aproached the guy made eye contact and nodded an acnowledgment to my 'afternoon. The young lady, her back to me, carried on regardless, possibly not even knowing (or caring) that I was approaching and certainly making no attempt to hide the fact.

 

Neither was it a one off. I've seen similar on three visits to the area, one time on the terrace of the Longboat/Flapper & Firkin PH after a particularly exhausting slog up the locks. When we got up to the bar for much needed refreshment we couldn't get served as the bar staff were so engrosed in watching the antics on the CCTV monitor......

[fender]

there was a popular spot at Lenton on the Nottingham canal a good few years ago - towpath shaggers arent a problem and they arent going to stop tomorrow either!

[pearley]

There is an official BW 14 day mooring site at Cuckoo Wharf, just before Aston bottom lock. It is gated, has CCTV and a security guard.

 

Yes, 4 hours is what the 2 flights should take.

 

There is also a pontoon mooring at Star City on the Saltley branch. You can easily reverse back to Salford Junc to go up Aston. It is not as secure as Cuckoo Wharf but anybody trying to get to your boat at night will get cut to ribbons on the undergrowth. Handy for the casino, cinema, Pizza Hut or whatever.

[Smelly]

If you get up past midnight then the flapper should have shut up, moor at Cambian and say hello!

 

John, does knowing the person who found one of the weapons count as apocryphal?

[cheshire~rose]

Well you scare me.......easily.

 

 

Oh sorry!

 

I will try and remember to be gentle with you next time!

 

Alnwick will be on a tight schedule in order to rendezvous with the Moles (and the other happy banterers) so we shall ascend the central Brum flights on Friday night and soak up the vibrant city atmosphere.

 

Even if the prospect of me armed with my windlass does not scare away the bogey man then have you met Ginger Cat?

 

I have looked at his photo on his fan club website and he looks like a right bruiser!

 

Woe betide anyone who gives us any bother enroute!

[Smelly]

Mind for the terrible silver tabbys on Cambrian... Foreign cats can get short shrift from the two lads.

 

Back on topic, there's a gourmet type chippy place on Newhall St, walk up hill and it's opposite "Chi". I don't know whether it'll be open as it's a lunchy place for the office workers I wouldn't recommend stopping though, there's a chippy on Broad St open late for when you arrive.I don't think you'll find much before then as it's very industrial.

 

The cill on number 9 at Aston is leaking like a sieve, and the pound above's been knwon to run dry, so have a body ready to let some water down.

 

I'd offer some help but it's my birthday so I'll be more hindrance than help.

[jelunga]

We were forced to Birmingham in a day, due to me overshooting the best mooring. We moored overnight near Tindal Bridge, just next to the NIA. I can recommend the Kebab and fish and Chip shop in Broad Street, about 800 metres walk in each direction from this mooring.

We had no problems at all moored here, except for the clip clop of high heels as the punters left the NIA late evening, and the noise of the fans. I spoke to a patrolling Police officer, actually on the towpath. He said we should not have problems in this location.

 

Keith

[Postcode]

Opposite the NIA is one of the best urban moorings I have ever had.

 

After doing the locks I slept like a baby!