I see that there is a proposal to introduce commuters to the joys of travelling by canal, by having canal boats linking Meadowhell with the City Centre.
Surely this idea is a non starter. First of all, commuters are usually in a hurry (given the choice); canal traffic is limited in its speed. Such a journey would take about an hour.
The canal basin is situated on the fringe of the city centre, hardly a link into the heart of the city.
Who is going to want a leisurely ride along the canal back to their car on a winter evening when it's dark?

ME!! I love boats... and I think it's a swell idea! :clap: :hihi:

I don't think it's too bad an idea. There are plans to downsize Exchange Street in order to bring the canal basin closer to the city centre. When the markets are demolished the area will improve and the canal won't be as cut-off from the city as it is now. The ring road will take traffic from Exchange Street and Blonk Street (at least that's the plan) and there will be better access to the canal from the markets area.

I fully support better use of the canal. It's an asset to the city and we should make more of it.

I've been on a boat-trip one evening and really enjoyed it. If you're prepared for the leisurely pace, then it's a fine way to travel. I think that's the buzz-word here: leisure.

This could have a great knock-on effect. Regular boat-trips up and down the canal could hopefully lead to more canal-side investment. A trip to Meadowhall, passing a couple of new pubs, albeit in the future, sounds quite cool to me.

It works in other cities.

Im not sure how they plan to get to the Meadowhall Interchange as that has the river Don running along it.

It does however converge with the canal near to us in Tinsley but that would add at least 15 minutes to the journey time.

You could build a park and ride near to the M1 Junction 34, on the opposite side to Meadowhall as its pretty much wasteland and desperately needs developing.

In about 10 years the canal will be 200 years old and would be a fitting heritage attraction to the city.

I'm interested in going on a boat trip along the canal. What sort of prices are we talking? And what do you get for that?

b

River buses operate in a few places in the country, quite well too.

However, the canal is a slow-lane transport system by design and I think it would be difficult for British Waterways to give a licence to any boat operating at a speed to compete with traditional transport.

On an unrelated matter, there is a great river trip in Manchester that goes to Liverpool on the ship canal. It takes about 6 hours and you get a return coach back to Manchester.

http://www.merseyferries.co.uk/manchester-scc/index.aspx

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ewm/newsletter/ewm338.html

I think that the idea needs exploring - its good to know that people are coming up some innovative new ideas to utilise probably the most under-used asset Sheffield has. I wonder who came up with the idea?

I can see the trips being used for leisure trips, maybe shopping expaditions to Medowhall etc. It would have to be quite quick if the route was used for commuters - although i wouldnt be surprised if coming in by car from medowhall would take just as long at peak time due to congestion!

I think it's a great idea. I've walked along the canal myself and it's lovely. I'm sure in the Summer months it would be nice.

A regular boat service would be wonderful. More as a leisure/tourist facility than for "commuters".

7 (or 6?) locks between Carbrook and Tinsley Viaduct will seriously lengthen the journey time if designed to reach Meadowhall.

There is a good set of pictures showing the views along the route on this and following pages:
http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/sheffield/sy31.htm

It would be another great tourist attraction, i spent a brilliant long weekend onboard one of those holiday boats in the canal basin a while back, so close to the city yet total peace.
The city lights reflected into the cabin at night, massive carp feed from your hand, if anybody living away from Sheff want's a change from hotels when visiting give it a try, gotta be the best kept secret in Sheffield.

Originally posted by Hopman

Who is going to want a leisurely ride along the canal back to their car on a winter evening when it's dark? Am I right in thinking canal traffic is not allowed to move after dark? Any enthusiasts out there that can put me right?

Think yes it would work but in order to speed it up for commuting you would have to have the long narrow boats similar to those in Asia with the outboard on the back. To invite the commuter from the car into work at a reasonable time period.

I think the speed limit on the inland waterways is about 5mph, this is to limit errosion of the banks and towpath, so outboard engines would be a bit of a no no.

Originally posted by 40summat
I think the speed limit on the inland waterways is about 5mph, this is to limit errosion of the banks and towpath, so outboard engines would be a bit of a no no.

I know think of the time otherwise.

Originally posted by algy
Am I right in thinking canal traffic is not allowed to move after dark? Any enthusiasts out there that can put me right? think you may be right there, and i want to add my bit, i fish on the canal and...MORE boats...?rolls eyes...bangs head on desk...but the main prob with commuting by canal boat is the speed of them, i think 6mph is the limit, and all those locks, it would take an age! And the poor old lock keepers, they have to escort every boat through every lock, Derek and Dave WILL be busy!

As a park and ride, it's definately a no no. I could walk into town quicker!

If the option were offered to a non-Sheffielder to park their car outside of town and enjoy a leisurely boat ride in, it's an excellent idea. But only IF the view is cleaned. I've done the pie and pea supper cruise from The Quays up to Tinsley and the dilapidated buildings and disgarded fridges are hardly a welcoming sight!

The idea needs a bit more thought I reckon!

Originally posted by Fishpole
As a park and ride, it's definately a no no. I could walk into town quicker!

If the option were offered to a non-Sheffielder to park their car outside of town and enjoy a leisurely boat ride in, it's an excellent idea. But only IF the view is cleaned. I've done the pie and pea supper cruise from The Quays up to Tinsley and the dilapidated buildings and disgarded fridges are hardly a welcoming sight!

The idea needs a bit more thought I reckon! Fishpole, if those artefacts were in the Tate Modern they'd be worth a fortune!

I've been on a few canal boat holidays and you are not meant to move on the river after dark. The speed limit is 4 mph.

I think it's a cracking way to spend some time and am pleased to hear the idea is at least being mooted about. There would be some practical issues about the length of time it takes to get boats thru the locks and the time the journey takes but what a way to finish a hot summer's working day; a genteel cruise back to the Park and Ride away from the sweat of the trams and noise and smell of the buses.

Originally posted by LesleyB
I've been on a few canal boat holidays and you are not meant to move on the river after dark. The speed limit is 4 mph.

I think it's a cracking way to spend some time and am pleased to hear the idea is at least being mooted about. There would be some practical issues about the length of time it takes to get boats thru the locks and the time the journey takes but what a way to finish a hot summer's working day; a genteel cruise back to the Park and Ride away from the sweat of the trams and noise and smell of the buses.

The idea is a total non starter, practical issues about time . try an hour or so. Finish a long summers day, try a cold windy winters day! Noise and smell of the buses, some parts of the canal stink! and run, under /over roads next to tram/ rail lines.

Paul Scriven has no idea what he's talking about, the canal is on the opposite side of meadowhall from the interchange and the locks make the whole idea a joke. Birmingham has more canals than Venice, and as for new transport ideas lets try to get the ones we have working first instead of dreaming about undergrounds, cablecars, monorails ect,ect

As a leisure activity I can't fault it but as a commute to work what a ridiculous idea. Sheaf quay to Meadowhall would take about 1 1/2 hours on a good day whereas it takes less than 10 minutes in a car even at peak time.

I'd like to be able to use the tow path if it was made into a fast cycle route. Impose enormous fines on those fishermen who leave their rods across the path and ritual dunking for the same fishermen who leave their plastic bottles all over the place.

I think it is a sound idea and have always advocated using our canal for leisure, transporting goods, boat trips, walking, enjoying the wildlife, peace and quiet, and relaxing.I think it is a sound idea and have always advocated using our canal for leisure, transporting goods, boat trips, walking, enjoying the wildlife, peace and quiet, and relaxing.

Long before the Sheffield Canal was renovated, I have cycled, walked, talked, travelled on narrow boats, and spent many long hours, days, weeks, on holiday on the towpath, all over this country and I can recommend it to anyone.

The Citizens of Sheffield, have a priceless, industrial heritage jewel on their doorstep and my advice to them is to use it or lose it.!!!I think it is a sound idea and have always advocated using our canal for leisure, transporting goods, boat trips, walking, enjoying the wildlife, peace and quiet, and relaxing.

Not sure about the practicality, but a great idea.

You could even hope that the council might fund such a venture.

So no fares, but invite donations :)

(Howard would so love an ideal World :( )

I think this is a good idea but not for commuters, rather as a tourist attraction or alternative to the tram.

The only problem I can think is how to regulate it as surely there would be several boats going back and forth thus problems with passing each other etc.

I think its a great idea. Anything that cuts down on traffic on the roads is good. I agree most commuters wouldn't use it but people for people going up there for leisure reasons it would be great.