Faversham access

[Gwylan]

Draught of 1.2m, bilge keel.

Based on local knowledge what depth of water do I needto get up to 5he Town.
The Bridge, yes that one, is my goal.

Depth at Harty Ferry would help.

Thanks

 

[LadyInBed]

I once did a delivery of a Colvic Victor 1.5m draft from Faversham. Too long ago to remember if it was on springs or neaps, but we left on the ebb without a problem.

 

[oldgit]

Not been there for while but a couple of the locals do post on here.
Can suggest there has been considerable silting up of the bottom at Town Wharf immediately below the small bridge at far top of creek.
Probably due the scouring action of water held back by the old lock gates no longer taking place. ?
The sluices used to be opened around LW.

 

[Gary Fox]

The place has such great potential, behind that lock there is a barge basin, just sitting there disused. It could be a port again. Despite years of local pressure groups and plans, the lock has not been refurbished, and the very simple lifting bridge has been allowed to deteriorate.
The only people to blame are the council. Fingers crossed it will happen some time.

 

[oldgit]

"The place has such great potential, " 100%

"The only people to blame are the council. !"


far more complicated ?
A mix of local council, KCC, Peel Ports and then the courts ..............arguing about who owns what and who pays...KCC money was put aside..then it vanished, Peel Ports denying it anything to do with them, the courts saying.....O yes it is Matey


Swing Bridge Fund - Kent County Council

Faversham-creek-swing-bridge-update-2019.pdf (kent.gov.uk)

 

[mattonthesea]

We draw 1.5m. We started at half tide, on or about September Springs, from the entrance and worked our way up very slowly to Iron Wharf, getting there about HW-1. We grounded once on the way up going too close to a PHB. From the look of it I'd say you could do the rest with care.

 

[Gwylan]

We draw 1.5m. We started at half tide, on or about September Springs, from the entrance and worked our way up very slowly to Iron Wharf, getting there about HW-1. We grounded once on the way up going too close to a PHB. From the look of it I'd say you could do the rest with care.

Thank you.

 

[CalicoJack]

Try the East Coast Forum, they are a group with more local knowledge.

 

[Cantata]

I would think with your draught you should be able to get to the Town Quay OK for several days either side of top of Springs.

 

[mattonthesea]

Was going to add that between the East Coast Pilot and Faversham website instructions it's fairly easy to work out where you're supposed to go. Just make sure you do!

 

[Gwylan]

Lots of dirty work at the crossroads on this.

KCC and Peel Ports playing games that it is expensive for the locals to join in.

The photo shown us a bit aspirational these days.

There is a bridge but no functional gates.

The actual barge basin is heavily silted and probably environmentalists will work to prevent clearing it.

We may see some action. Don't hold your breath or plan a visit anytime soon.

 

[Gwylan]

I would think with your draught you should be able to get to the Town Quay OK for several days either side of top of Springs.

Exactly, I was wondering just how many days.

Not sure the local vision of boats coming and going understands the dynamics.
Based on at best 5 days around springs that leaves 23 days when only lifting keel or shallow draft boats will come and go.
And some of the HW will be in the dark.

It is quite a distance from the sea to the town and best done in daylight.

Also as a destination being stuck at the back of Morrison's car park and the Shepherd Neame barrel yard is just short of idyllic.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned a budget for facilities, water, loo, showers, fuel, pontoons, electricity .....

 

[ianc1200]

We did it in a narrowboat once. Came up, moored outside the brewery, went to the pub, slept overnight (when we must of grounded out but we weren't aware), went back to Queenborough the next day.

 

[Gary Fox]

"The place has such great potential, " 100%

"The only people to blame are the council. !"


far more complicated ?
A mix of local council, KCC, Peel Ports and then the courts ..............arguing about who owns what and who pays...KCC money was put aside..then it vanished, Peel Ports denying it anything to do with them, the courts saying.....O yes it is Matey


Swing Bridge Fund - Kent County Council

Faversham-creek-swing-bridge-update-2019.pdf (kent.gov.uk)

Thanks oldgit. Imagine if this was Holland, everything would be in working order with a old bridge with opening times related to the tide, beer deliveries from the brewery by barge, a home for couple of spritties, outdoor cafe, all sorts going on, maybe a couple of pontoons for visiting shallow draught vessels, maybe I am dreaming of a fantasy world.

 

[Gary Fox]

Exactly, I was wondering just how many days.

Not sure the local vision of boats coming and going understands the dynamics.
Based on at best 5 days around springs that leaves 23 days when only lifting keel or shallow draft boats will come and go.
And some of the HW will be in the dark.

It is quite a distance from the sea to the town and best done in daylight.

Also as a destination being stuck at the back of Morrison's car park and the Shepherd Neame barrel yard is just short of idyllic.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned a budget for facilities, water, loo, showers, fuel, pontoons, electricity .....

All good points, although 'only lifting keel or shallow draft boats..' still includes a lot of people.
I'm sure the basin is silted up, but all they need is a digger and a hopper barge to get rid of it, the flushing of the sluices used to help. Anyway I am obviously living in faiytale land imagining how things could be. Neither is there a surfeit of yards and places to tie up for tjalks and sprits'l barges in the South East.