Still they come

Plans have been submitted for yet another marina—again on the already overcrowded Llangollen Canal, and at Wrenbury where there is already another being applied for.

This means that they would offer in total an extra 350 plus berths on this canal, already the busiest in the country. That is always assuming that boats could be found to fill all those vacant berths. Most likely it would just lead to a steady emptying of all the other marinas in the area, so nobody is left with a viable business, writes Linda Andrews.

In decline

To some extent, the Llangollen Canal has been a victim of its own success, with visitor numbers in decline since 2006 (as logged by boat movements through Hurleston Junction), the addition of more berths is hardly likely to improve the situation.

The vast majority of Wrenbury residents are totally opposed to both schemes, as Wrenbury is a peaceful little village approached by narrow lanes and an unreliable lift bridge over the canal. An increase in boat and road traffic would be largely catastrophic.

There is a website www.savewrenbury.co.uk which carries a live link to Cheshire East Planning, where objections can be made.

The marinas

Swanley Bridge Marina (not full) Whixall Marina (not full), Ellesmere Marina, Chirk Marina (not full), Trevor Basin, Llangollen mooring basin (visitors only), also online moorings with hire bases at Wrenbury, Whitchurch, Whittington. There is a proposal for a new marina at Trevor

On the adjacent Shropshire Union Canal, within a few miles are Tattenhall Marina (not full) Venetian Marina (not full), Aqueduct Marina, Barbridge Marina, Nantwich Basin, Overwater Marina (not full) Market Drayton moorings.

Slightly further afield on the T&M (within 25 miles) Anderton Marina, Uplands Basin, Orchard Marina, a half-completed marina at Davenham. Online moorings with hire bases at Middlewich, Sandbach.

A marina project on the Montgomery Canal at Queens Head was abandoned as not viable.