Leaving under lockdown on the Liverpool Link

THREE boats were recently given permission by the Canal & River Trust to come out of Liverpool Salthouse Dock via the Liverpool Link.

The boats and their crews had been moored in Albert Dock complex over the winter. The link normally reopens in the spring but this had been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As lockdown is gradually relaxed, boat movement has restarted – however, some parts of the system that require CRT staff to be in attendance are only usable by prior arrangement.

This was the case as the first boats left Salthouse Dock. Unfortunately one of the two narrowboats developed a fuel problem which delayed the passage along the link and up the Stanley locks, but it proved not to be too serious and all three boats made it on to the main line of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

The three boats have come through the first lock on the link at Mann Island and through the tunnel under the Museum of Liverpool to reach the section of canal across the Pier Head.

PHOTOS: COLIN WAREING/ COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS The widebeam arrives in Prince’s Dock lock as she heads towards the Stanley locks.