A busy scene but quite a pleasant view... This is Ashley Wharf visitor moorings on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal just beyond Saltaire, on the way into Shipley.
Even this late in the season there are still a lot of boats on the move on the canal. The outer one of these two appeared to be a small cargo-carrying vessel. At one time, of course, the canal was an important artery for commerce, moving goods between our towns and cities and connecting with Liverpool's docks. As the railways and roads took over, canal traffic dwindled, leaving the waterways to be explored solely by leisure craft. It seems that a few more freight boats are now creeping back, though there are several obstacles to this becoming a significant enterprise, not least the fact that much of the canalside warehousing infrastructure has been lost or converted for residential use.
I can't see Amazon deliveries arriving by narrowboat any time soon, but you never know. One of the things I like about walking beside canals is the constant alternation between busy locks and peaceful stretches through the countryside.
ReplyDeleteOur canal gets lowered for the winter season, so all the boats are gone.
ReplyDeleteA terrific view.
Touring the canals always sounds so wonderful but I guess it could be a lot of work for commercial uses.
ReplyDeleteThere are now so many pleasure boats requiring stove coal, butane gas and diesel that a totally new business has come into being of traditional narrow boats selling directly overside to the pleasure boaters who now often live year round on their boats.
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