Gazetteer

• Bridge and lock opening hours
• Moorings
• Telephone numbers
• Traffic lights and sound signals
• VHF Radio
• Slipways and launching places
• Pubs
• Water points and sani-stations
• Fuel, chandlers and boat yards
• Launderettes
• Shops and post offices

Bridge and lock opening hours

The following hours apply to both locks on the River Severn above Gloucester, and the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.

• Weeks start on the Friday of the week number.

  Period 1: Week 43 - Week 13: 0800 - 1600 (in 2007, week 13 starts on 30 March)

• Period 2: Week 13 - Week 21 and Week 40 - Week 43: 0800 - 1800 (in 2007, week 21 starts on 25 May; week 40 starts on 5 October; week 43 starts on 26 October)

• Period 3: Week 21 - Week 40: 0800 - 1900 (in 2007, this is 25 May - 5 October)

Note that the bridges at Llanthony and over Gloucester Lock shut during rush hours (08:20 - 09:00 and 16:30 - 17:30 on weekdays). Fretherne Bridge will also close during the morning rush hour on weekdays.

Llanthony Bridge is now back to opening on demand following a long period of engineering works. However, during the winter months (1 November to Easter) the following hours apply:

• 0930 - 1000
• 1130 - 1200
• 1330 - 1400
• 1500 - 1530

The bridge may open at other times to let commercial traffic through: other boats are welcome to tailgate on these occasions. Llanthony Bridge will be fully manned and open on demand from 1 April until the winter (1 November?)

It is a good idea not to rely on the bridgekeepers' being in place towards the end of the working day unless they are aware that you will be moving!

In winter 2007, new arrangements for bridge and lock opening were set in place.

During the period 1 November - Easter, the canal is closed (other than to commercial traffic) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

In this period on Thursdays - Mondays, most bridgekeepers will operate two structures. If no-one is available at a bridge, there is a contact telephone number posted in the windows of the keeper's hut.

In November 2007, it is intended that Parkend Bridge will become user-operated thoughout the year.

Patch Bridge is due to close from Jan 2008 for around nine weeks for major repairs. During this time it will not be possible to pass Patch by boat.

Moorings

All visitor moorngs on the canal are 48 h. In most places there is at least 1 m of water at the bank. It is possible to moor just about anywhere safely on the towpath side except:

• Between the Llanthony pontoons and Hempstead Bridge (difficult / insecure)
• Between any traffic lights and the bridge controlling them
• Between the Upper and Lower Purton Bridges
• Between Purton Lower Bridge and the dredger station
• Beyond Sharpness High-level bridge (except for use of the sani-station)
• The water is shallow between Sims and Rea Bridges

Official visitor moorings are at:

• Gloucester Docks: on the West side between the pumping station by the dry dock and the lock; on the North Quay; on the East side as far down as the National Waterways Museum, and in the Barge Arm (just before the Waterways Museum). Visitor mooring is not permitted in the Victoria Arm and Basin near Merchant's Quay. There is a disabled mooring in the Barge Arm and several moorings with electricity points on the West side (payment by card from the BW office or lock-keeper).
• Llanthony Pontoons below Llanthony Lift Bridge
• Near Sellars Bridge (towpath side, North of the large winding hole)
• Below Patch Bridge (off-side)
• There is also a short recognised mooring beyond the water point on the offside below Purton Lower Bridge

Useful telephone numbers

Traffic Lights and Sound Signals

Movements through all bridges and locks are controlled by traffic lights. Red means "wait"; flashing red is used to indicate that the bridgekeeper knows you are there and needs you to wait; green means "go". If no light is showing, the bridge is un-manned. Proceed with caution (if your air draft is low enough!)

Sounds signals are used especially by commercial traffic on the canal and river. The main signals are:

• One blast: I am using the right side / passing on the right (the default)
• Two blasts: I need to use the left channel / pass you on the left (also used when overtaking on the left)
• Three blasts: I am going astern
• Four blasts: I am out of control
• Four short blasts plus one long one: I am moving off to the right (e.g. when untying from the left bank and either setting off ahead or turning round)
• Four short blast plus two long ones: I am moving off to the left

VHF Radio

VHF Radio is used by many boats and bridges on the Gloucester-Sharpness canal, and by the lock-keepers on the River Severn. Channel 74 is used for boat - bridge and boat - lock traffic. The normal channels should be used for boat - boat traffic. If you do not receive a reply to a call, remember that the bridge- or lock-keeper may be busy or untrained in using radio.

To the best of my knowledge, the following bridges maintain a watch on 74:

• Llanthony Lift Bridge
• Hempstead Bridge
• Sellars Bridge
• Junction Bridge
• Patch Bridge
• Purton Bridge

Sharpness Docks listen on VHF 13

Slipways and launching places

There aren't any slipways, although there are tentative plans to install one at or near the old Stroudwater lock at Saul Junction

"Luggable" boats could probably be launched from the canoe launch platform at Purton Upper Bridge or from the rowing club pontoon at Saul Junction. The car park at Fretherne Bridge is canalside.

Pubs on or near the Canal

Gloucester:

There are lots of pubs in Gloucester. My favourites are:

• Dr Fosters: on Merchant's Quay in the Docks. Large conservatory with views over the Docks, and a cellar bar. One or two real ales usually on sale. Following a few changes of ownership, the food is now very good. SO828183
• The Fountain Inn: Berkeley Street (on the route from the Docks to the Cathedral). Pleasant, historic, family-friendly pub much used by rugby fans. Usually four or five real ales, and excellent, reasonably priced food. SO830186
• Café René: down a small alley off Southgate Street, more or less opposite the New COunty Hotel. Cracking pub, usually four or five real ales served straight from the cask, several real ciders, nice grub, occasional live music.
• Tall Ships: by the Eastern gate to the Docks. Wadworths ales, food of variable quality but noted for its fish. SO828182
• New Inn: Northgate Street (near Debenhams in the shopping centre). A historic pub with several bars around a courtyard and a good range of real ales. SO832186
• Linden Tree: Bristol Road (head south from the Docks beyond the Burger King). Friendly pub, real ale, food, nice. SO827183

Sellars Bridge

• The Pilot: canalside pub (moor above the Bridge before the winding hole). "Chef-and-Brewer style" pub, one or two real ales, better than one might expect. SO796134

Parkend

• The Anchor, Epney. Riverside pub about 2 km walk from Parkend bridge (follow the road westwards, keep left at the junction). Good location, otherwise uninspiring. A couple of real ales, basic pub grub. SO761110

Saul Junction

• The Ship, Upper Framilode. Adjacent to the old Stroudwater canal near its junction with the river. Follow the track behind Whitcliffe Rowing Club in a straight line for about 1 km, crossing the road and keeping the river Frome on the right-hand side. Nice pub in a pretty location. I've found the food somewhat variable recently - when it's good, it's very good. A couple of well-kept real ales. SO751102. It's worth taking a walk further down the towpath to Fretherne Church for the view down the river. This is a good place to see the Severn Bore.

Frampton-on-Severn

• The Bell, located at the north end of Frampton Village Green. Walk up the road from Fretherne Bridge and you can't miss it. Large pub, just by the cricket pitch. Nice children's play area, several real ales, but lacks atmosphere inside. Extensive menu but I've always been disappointed. SO749081
• Three Horseshoes. Located at the S end of the green, best approached from Splatt Bridge. Cross the ditch near the start of the long-term moorings, and follow the line of chestnuts from the church into the village. Excellent local with a good range of beers and ciders. The food is good value, but the kitchen opening times are rather eratic. SO746076

Patch Bridge

• The Tudor Arms (a.k.a. The Patch). A fine pub despite its rather ugly appearance. Good food and good ale. Family friendly. SO727041

Purton

• The Berkeley Arms (a.k.a. Ted Lord's). Tiny, unspoilt, riverside pub about 200 m from Purton Lower Bridge. Opens most evenings at about 19:00, and Sunday lunchtimes. No food other than rolls (sometimes). One or two real ales. Worth the detour. SO690045

Sharpness

• The Dockers Club. Climb up the hill behind the marina - located in the large Edwardian building near the top. Welcoming to visiting boaters, fizzy beer, cheap grub. SO671029
• Pier View Hotel, Newtown. Basic, large but friendly pub. Cross the high level bridge and the former railway bridge, turn right and carry on past the houses for about 1 km. SO674020
• The Lammastide. Nice pub with a good range of ale and a large, reasonably priced menu. Cross the High Level and old railway bridges, turn right and then immediately left. Take the right fork after about 600 m, and the pub is about 600 m further on. SO683020

Water points and Sani Stations

Water points are listed below, with sani-stations indicated where appropriate

• Gloucester Docks: in the Barge Arm
• Llanthony Pontoon (immediately below the lift bridge): water, toilet, elsan disposal, bins and self-service pumpout (prepayment cards at £10.00 from the bridgekeeper, the BW office and Gloucester Lock)
• Sellars Bridge: close to the bridge.
• Saul Junction: sani-station with self-service pumpout, elsan disposal, showers, washing machine, slooooow water point, toilets, bins between Junction Bridge and Sandfield Bridge. Pumpout tickets from the bridge-keepers and the Heritage Centre (open weekends and bank holidays) (£10.00).
• Fretherne Bridge: in the off-side car park
• Splatt Bridge: on the long-term moorings. Bins by the bridge.
• Patch Bridge: two water points on the visitor moorings, bins by the bridge.
• Purton Bridge: water point beyond the long-term moorings on the off-side.
• Sharpness: elsan disposal and water on the pontoon between the high-level and low-level bridges.

Fuel, chandlers and Boatyards

• A&D Marine: below Hempstead Bridge. Dry dock and chandlery.
• The Gulf canalside petrol station just beyond A&D Marine re-opened in March 2004. There is a fuelling pontoon for petrol and red diesel.
• R W Davies: near Junction Bridge: dry dock, crane-out, boat builders, engines, moorings.
• AP Fuels (formerly Adlac): between Sandfield and Fretherne Bridges. Diesel, coal, oil gas sales.
• Slimbridge Boat Station (a.k.a. The Black Shed): above Patch Bridge. Chandlery, boat fitting-out and sales, moorings, provisions, cafe, cycle hire. Recent additions include diesel and pump-out (£7.00). Elsan disposal for £2.00.
• Sharpness Marine: at the end of the old dock arm. Chandlery, repairs, moorings.
• ties up just outside Sharpness Marina and usually has the cheapest diesel on the canal. Call John or Brionie on 07967 960128 or knock on MV Islander next door.

Launderettes

The only ones I am aware of are in Gloucester:

• The Laundry Centre, 104 Westgate St: walk towards the cathedral and turn left into Westagate St; the laundrette is on the right hand side. Open 0800 - 1800 every day.
• Soap and Suds: Eastgate Street near the GL1 leisure centre.

Shops and Post Offices

• Gloucester: lots of shops. Sainsburys in Northgate Street (SO833183). Main Post Office in The Oxbode (next to Debenhams) (SO833187). Convenience store in the petrol station just below Hempsted Bridge.
• Quedgeley: big Tescos and PO about 1 km from Rea Bridge (cross the canal, E along Elmore Lane (West) and (East), fork right onto the footpath just past the primary school to Coopers Orchard, turn left into Gloucester Road and Tescos is opposite and to the left). SO808143. Also an Aldi, Matalan and a few other shops on the other side of the Tescos roundabout.
• Frampton on Severn: PO and general stores on Frampton Green near the Bell. Best accessed from Fretherne Bridge. SO749080
• Sharpness: PO and general stores in the docks: ascend the hill behind the marina, descend past the Dockers Club, turn right and continue to the terrace of houses. SO669024