Tub Boats at Norbury

9.1 An exploration of the lost canal link which existed between Staffordshire's Norbury Junction on the Shropshire Union Canal and Ironbridge on the River Severn.
In this episode we explore the Newport Branch through a disused flight of locks to Forton.
#Narrowboats #Canals #Norbury

[@rmk]

Great to see you back Andy, and exploring abandoned canals further afield! Thanks!

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

Logistics of being further afield are a bit more challenging - battery like is a particular issue when filming two episodes in a day.

[@dennyporter2447]

Awesome to see a new series of Canal Hunter Andy! Cheers from Missouri USA...

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

More to come!

[@davidthomas6859]

Really nice to have you back Andy ,this series will be very interesting I’m sure 😊

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

Thanks David - its been planned fr a long time.

[@ACTman2606]

Absolutely enthralling Andy. Thank you for making this. Much appreciate your hard graft doing all the leg work. Makes me want to get out there and see for myself - in drier conditions. Every blessing on the next episodes.

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

They are fun to research and make. Now I just need the weather to improve a bit to get the material for episodes 5 and 6.

[@deborahfigueiredo8731]

Yay! A new series 😊 thank you Andy.

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

I have wanted to make this one since before the pandemic!

[@andrewwoods456]

Great to see you back Andy

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

More to come!

[@MsVanorak]

from norbury to newport most of the infrastructure is still there. i didn't know there was a bridge that had been quarried but the bridges and locks seem to have been built using local sandstone which is unique. on a dry summer the locks are all visible by their lushness on google earth and it's revving the hell out of me that they aren't pushing to get this section to newport restored as a priority so that they can rehome the dry dock man in the town and bring trade and actually show the benefits of investing in restoration. he seems to be the only obstacle along with getting the canal under the A41 newport bypass. i'm gonna love this series, thanks.

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

It is an amazingly unobstructed route - but still expensive. As this was built as an adjunct to the Shropshire Union the sandstone may well have come from the deep cutings.

[@christophernorton33]

Very intersesting .As an ex-Shropshire lad living close to the old canal at Shrewsbury this canal has always had a dear place in my hart . Thoes lock gates are truly amazing serving the revidges of nature for over a hundred years

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@tobystephenson7625]

Good to have you back Andy - interesting stuff as ever😊

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

Thank you kindly

[@ruthbrierley1798]

Good to see you back Andy!

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

More to come!

[@keithphillips7320]

Very interesting. Like many Staffordshire cyclists, I'm a regular at the cafe at Norbury Junction and have always wondered where that arm under the bridge went.

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

I explored it by bike years ago - a bit of a challenge as I had to criss cross the countryside all the way to Shrewsbury.

[@alanglass8161]

Love these discoveries. Please investigate the Portsmouth and Arundel canal maybe in the future. Regards Alan Glass

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

So many canals and so little time! Logistics is the issue as a move off the BCN.

[@kevbaker153]

My local canal which is traceable From Salterns Lock Hunston ( the Chichester Ship canal ) and then onto Ford ( Chichester and Arundel Canal) The sea lock is all that remains of the Portsmouth section ( Portsea canal )

[@kevbaker153]

​@lifeat2.3milesanhour57 if you would like to come down I'd be more than willing to guide you to the various sections

[@dieselbushcraft1299]

Great to see a new series of Canal Hunter, thanks. If ever a canal looked like it was begging to be reinstated but best not go there as I can hear the keyboards being harshly typed upon already 😂.

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

The route to Newport is pretty clear really - and it would make a great destination.

[@SJ8311]

Fascinating. I've rented a narrowboat from Norbury Junction and travelled the Shroppie, and I've explored the restored section at Newport. I wish the restorers well, though I doubt I'll get to see it all in water.

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

You are probably right - it would cost a huge amount of money.

[@SJ8311]

@@lifeat2.3milesanhour57 Restoration is underway, intermittently and at a leisurely pace. I understood that the gent who owns the business at Norbury Junction is a leading light in the restoration project.

[@misterjib]

AH brilliant, love watching these on lazy Saturday mornings and this one is of special interest as my family live just a mile up the road from Norbury junction. Will you be passing the UKs alleged smallest telegraph pole... I guess I'll find out in the next 15 mins

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

Ah - I headed west, not north!

[@66oggy]

I know you know your stuff, but I don't think it was a ladder at the first lock. I think it was part of the lock gate construction itself. You can see similar ladder style metalwork in situ on the gates of the second lock. I can't wait for the rest of this series as I have spent quite a number of days either cycling, or walking what I can of the remains of the canals, from Norbury Junction to Shrewsbury, and then from Wappenshall down to Coalport. Don't worry, no spoilers, but I know we are in for any canal hunters zenith.

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

You may well be right about the ladder! The quality of the remains at Norbury is amazing.

[@kevbaker153]

Yes definitely the corner strap plates of the lock gate