In this episode of The Water Road, we walk a couple of minutes from the Shropshire Union Canal in Cheshire to the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker. This underground building was on permanent alert in the 1980s and 90s, standing by to become the seat of government for north west England in the event of a nuclear attack. We learn about the site's history, and about the museum it has become. Back on the Shroppie itself, we travel through the Hack Green Locks, and find reminders of other bygone times.Produced and presented by Adam Porter.
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10:48
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10:48
Cholmondeston Lock
In this episode of The Water Road we're at Cholmondeston Lock on the Middlewich Branch in Cheshire, where members of the local branch of the Inland Waterways Association are working boaters through the lock during a fundraising and awareness raising weekend. Hear from volunteers and boater's they've helped. We'll also try to get to the bottom of how the lock's name is pronounced.The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter.
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10:58
Water shortages and canal closures
In this extra episode of The Water Road, we examine the issue of the moment -- extreme water shortages which have led to canal and lock closures in the north of England and the Midlands. We hear from businesses affected, including Kingsground Narrowboats on the South Oxford, Braidbar Boats on the Macclesfield Canal, Chamberlain Chandlery on the Middlewich Arm, and Grand Union Narrowboats in Northamptonshire. And we speak to Dr Adam Comerford, the National Hydrology Manager for the Canal and River Trust, who explains why this year has been so bad, and answers some of the criticism directed at the Trust.Produced and presented by Adam Porter.
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19:11
Staffs and Worcester Canal
In this episode of The Water Road we travel along the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. We visit the Bratch Locks near Womborne, which look like a staircase but aren't. We speak to Craig Williams from the Birmingham Anglers Association who was hosting a Let's Fish event, and we hear from the owners of a house which has a lock bywash flowing underneath it.The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter.
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Floating Market
In this episode of The Water Road we visit a floating market on the Shropshire Union Canal, and hear from some of the people trading from their boats. Guests include Julie Tonkin of the Roving Canal Traders Association who tells us about her canal art; Helen Tidy of Wild Side Preserves; the artist, Emma Bradley; Kate Newman who makes glass items; and Paul Partridge from the Baked on Board pizza boat.The Water Road is produced and presented by Adam Porter.
Join us as we travel the canals and rivers of England and Wales in our narrowboat. The podcast takes you to places and events around the canal network, meeting the people who live, work, or volunteer on the waterways.
The Financial Times said The Water Road "takes nerdy delight in the minutiae of canal life". The Guardian described it as "a soothing sound effects-packed listen ... (that) wouldn't sound out of place on Radio 4". James Marriott in The Times said "How do I join this world? We need more of this sort of thing".
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