Operation
The Millennium Ribble Link runs at the north west of the city of Preston along a canalisation of the Savick Brook, which was tidal along its length to the 3 lock staircase but now limited to its lower reaches. The channel has been straightened and widened to allow navigation by boats with a maximum beam of 10.5 feet (3.2 m). One bank of the brook has been left with reed edges, to minimise the disturbance to wildlife, and artificial sand cliffs have been established where those used by nesting sand martins had to be removed as part of the engineering works. In addition to use by boats, a primary aim of the project was to create a feature which could be enjoyed and used by walkers, cyclists and fishermen*(See comment above, fishing is not allowed on the Millennium Ribble Link). To add interest to such use, an arts sculpture trail has been created running the length of the development with a number of sculptures on view. Adjacent to the Lancaster Canal one which is entitled "Gauging the Ripple", commissioned from the artist Thompson Dagnall. 'Gauging the Ripple' suffered structural integrity loss and had to be removed.
The link is seasonal for those boats wanting to travel its length, and is normally open between April and mid-October. Even then it is only available on limited days, approx 90 days in total during this period, subject to weather conditions. Passage along it must be booked in advance by contacting British Waterways, and it is operated in alternate directions on successive days. The sea lock at the Ribble end and the triple staircase at the Lancaster Canal end are manned by British Waterways staff, whereas the rest of the locks are unmanned and are operated by boat crews.
There is no charge to use the Millennium Ribble Link if you have a full boat licence. Pleasure craft on hire are charged £60 per passage (each way). A Millennium Ribble Link Skippers Guide is available from British Waterways and is normally available on their web site. Crossing of the River Ribble is not for the faint hearted and a pilot is available at Tarleton.The Savick Brook canal to the River Ribble is only used by the more adventurous boat owners on major expeditions.
Starting from the Lancaster Canal, the Ribble Link descends about 59 feet (18 m) by means of:
- a staircase of three locks
- four conventional locks
- one lock which is semi-tidal at its lower end
- a rotating sector gate (originally planned as a lock) only passable around high tide.
Read more about this topic: Ribble Link
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