Page updated 25 October 2005
Based on mapping ©2001 Richard Fairhurst, Canal Boat & Inland Waterways
General Remarks
Heyrod
Leaving Lock 7W behind, the canal rapidly becomes more rural in nature, as the last of the light industry falls away on the off-side, to be replaced by a National Grid Sub station. At the approach to Lock 8W, another restored section is entered, where the canal takes a slight diversion to avoid the expanded sub station and passes between the legs of a 250kV pylon!
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©2002 Peter Freeman Working down from Lock 8W and through the high banked area |
Heyrod itself is half a mile away on the other side of the valley. Passing the BW depot, where there are toilets, showers and a water point, and under Grove Road, the remains of the former swing bridge can be seen. The area appears remote but the disused railway yard near Lock 9W is often used as a makeshift motorbike circuit by local children. Mooring is not advised on this section except within sight Mottram Road Bridge.
Scout Tunnel
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©2002 Peter Freeman Low water south of Scout Tunnel |
Shortly after Lock 11W, the channel turns right into the partly unlined Scout Tunnel. The picture here was taken in June 2002 and shows how water levels can fall. This can be caused by either failure to close the, often very stiff, lock paddles or leakages.
The area adjoining the canal near the tunnel and above towards Mossley used to have some quite heavy engineering works, including railway sidings. This was mainly to the east of the canal (the right in the photograph). Bulldozers have "reclaimed" it into rough greenery but, normally out of sight, there are bits of industrial junk underneath the new trees and shrubbery.
Mossley
There are pleasant informal moorings beyond Lock 12W. Indeed, the rest of the western half of the canal is safe for mooring with civilisation seldom infringing on the canal. At Mossley, there are takeaways and a railway station only a short walk from canal and at "Mossley Docks", the winding hole between Locks 12W and 13W, there is a useful convenience store with long opening hours and a pub. At Lock 14W there are a few more houses and a craft centre nearby.
Pubs and Restaurants
Mossley:
New Bridge (Contact details required)
Located adjacent to Mossley winding hole on the towpath side. Details of beers served and style of pub required.