Page updated 17 November 2004 

The Caldon Canal and Leek Branch

Caldon Canal

Eturia Junction

Trent and Mersey Canal

Lock 3 N97#4p10 N2k#4p10

There are rubbish disposal facilities by Planet Lock.

Bridge 12 N97#4p10 N2k#4p10

The winding hole between Bridges 12 and 13 is very short, about 6ft wider than canal and 4ft wide.  It's probably only usable by craft under 35ft.

Bridge 14 N97#4p10 N2k#4p10

There are now extensive new housing estates on the hill around Birches Farm, some of which extends right down to the canalside.

Bridge 15 N97#4p10 N2k#4p10

There is a footbridge immediately north of the bridge.

Bridge 16A N97#4p10

There is a winding hole on the bend immediately north of the pipe bridge north of Bridge 16A.

Bridge 18 N97#4p10 N2k#4p10

According to a sign on the bridge, there is an off-licence, groceries and the Mill Race pub within 25 yards.

Between Bridges 18 and 19 the gardens of virtually all the houses on the off-side are particularly well kept.

Bridge 21 N97#4p11 N2k#4p11

Only a windlass is needed to operate this bridge. (The Navigational Note says it also needs a BW key.)

Lock 7 N97#4p11

There is a pipe bridge, which is not shown in the inset, immediately north the railway bridge below the lock.

Bridge 25 N03#4p11

The Sportsman does not serve meals! A regular patron said on 15 Sep 04 that it has not done so for at least 20 years!

Bridge 26 N97#4p11

The towpath, from Bridge 26 to the top of the page, is on the NW bank.

Bridge 27-27A N97#4p12 N2k#4p12

You can wind in the basin between these bridges.

Bridge 28 N97#4p12 N2k#4p12

There are BW 24hr moorings, sufficient for 3 full length boats, immediately north of the bridge.  An excellent Spar shop, (open till 10:00pm - 9:00pm Sundays) with locally baked bread and off-licence is 250yds away across the railway line.  This also sells BW swipe cards (needed for the facilities at Park Lane Bridge).  There's a Pharmacy opposite.

Bridge 31 N97#4p12 N2k#4p12

The Park Lane Bridge facilities include a launderette and pump-out that require a BW swipe card.  One report suggests that the pump-out facility allows inadequate time to empty most holding tanks.   (If you need a card it's a shorter walk from Bridge 28 to the Spar Shop, so plan ahead!)

Bridge 33-34 N97#4p12 N2k#4p12

There is a winding hole between these bridges where the high-power overhead lines cross the canal.

Hazelhurst Junction

Leek Branch

Bridge 35 N97#4p12 N2k#4p12

This bridge is not linked to Bridge 1, on the Leek Branch.  Instead the unmarked Bridge 36, immediately below the top lock, is linked to it.

Bridge 39 N97#4p12 N2k#4p12

In the last sentence of the main text delete the word “excellent” as the moorings at Deep Hayes Country Park, just west of the bridge, are rough and suitable only for a single 40ft boat.  (The 2000 edition replaces this passage with the sentence, “Cheddleton Flint Mill makes a fascinating stop”.

Cheddleton Flint Mill N97#4p13 N2k#4p13

There is a winding hole opposite the mill and moorings for 300yds towards the west.

Bridge 44 N97#4p15

The Section about the North Staffordshire Railway Company should be headed Churnett Valley Railway.  Steam Trains run Easter to September every Sunday; August every Wednesday, and all Bank Holiday Mondays.  Diesels July-August every Saturday.  Plus other special events.

Bridge 44 N97#4p14 N2k#4p14

There are BW 48hr moorings south of Bridge 44.

Oakmeadowford Drawbridge N97#4p14 N2k#4p14

Oakmeadowford Drawbridge - all one word on the BW sign announcing its restoration - is marked on the map half way between Bridges 47 and 48.  It appears to be kept open, rather than closed, for boats.

Lock.16 N97#4p14 N2k#4p14

There is a winding hole just above the lock.

Lock.16 N97#4p15

The 2000 edition has removed the final sentence of Navigational Note 1:  "If the river level is over 6 inches up on the gauge at Oak Meadow Ford Lock do not enter this section".

Bridge 49.N97#4p14 N2k#4p14 N03#4p14

It is possible to wind immediately above the footbridge, but make sure the current assists, rather than drags you towards the bridge and weir!  The inset for Consall Forge in the 2000 edition shows a pub, water and sewage disposal points.  However, it should show refuse, not sewage, disposal.  In both editions the insets are inaccurate.  The version here, is better.

Consall Forge Railway Station N97#4p14 N2k#4p14

In the main text, it should say the station is between the railway bridge and Bridge 50.

Lock 17 N97#4p14 N2k#4p14 N03#4p14

Flint Mill Lock now has a greater drop than 9'4" as the final pound has been lowered to aid passage through Froghall Tunnel. Boats longer than 65ft should wind above the lock, unless confident of their ability to pass through Froghall Tunnel.

Froghall Tunnel.N97#4p15 N2k#4p15 N03#4p15

In 2003 the final pound was lowered. Navigational Note 2 is no longer accurate in any edition.
The winding hole, just west of the tunnel (only shown in the 2003 edition) is advertised as suitable for 65ft but has been reported as "tight for a 64ft boat", the situation depends on the shape of the bow and how much of the bow can be made to overhang the stone-pilings.

Airdraft in the tunnel is approximately 5ft, but passage depends on the cabin profile. Beyond the tunnel there is a full length winding hole.

Head of Navigation

Leek Branch

Hazelhurst Junction

Bridge 1 N97#4p12 N2k#4p12

The bridge is not linked to Bridge 35 on the main line.  Instead, it is linked to the unmarked Bridge 36 immediately below the top lock.

Bridge 9 N97#4p13 N2k#4p13

The towpath, from Bridge 9 to the end of the Leek Branch, is on the east bank.

Head of Navigation N97#4p13 N2k#4p13 N03#4p13

Although no winding hole is shown at the very end of the branch, it is perfectly possible to wind a boat of up to 60' there. The technique that must be used is to plant the bow in the bank to the left of the tributary feeder and then to swing the stern into the hole on the towpath side. The stream from the feeder will, slowly but surely, bring the bow round.

Head of Navigation