Through Tottenham and Edmonton
The River Lea continues from Springfield Park past moored boats belonging to the local marina and the remnants of industry that gave the navigation some of its work. New housing around Ferry Lane has given the waterway a different chracter. At Tottenham locks the River Lea departs from the navigation into what can only be described as an ugly concrete channel deviod of wildlife. A long time ago when the Lee Navigation was first built many of the river sections remained accessible for local industry and wharves. The section of River Lea from the bottom of Tottenham locks was one such example which served wharves along Ferry Lane. There were probably about 8 access points to different parts of the river, some with locks to facilitate access, and this unique relationship between the Lee Navigation and the River Lea made a success story out of what was essentially a very difficult river to navigate. Now of course the Lee Navigation is more isolationist, and its relationship with the old barge river is at best one of pure conveinence.
The River Lea just to the north of Springfield. The overhead gantries were used for loading barges and there are plans to demolish these. A campaign was set up in early 2006 to save the black one as its the last of its type.
The River Lea as it continues northwards. As the picture shows there is often a lot of rubbish, much of it illegal flytipping. The trees on the left side run along the side of Markfield recreation grounds. The well known Markfield Beam Engines are situated here and worth a visit. Its best to moor by Springfield Park and walk north to the beam engines however.
Tottenham Locks. The River Lea splits off just before this point to pass the Ferry Inn. It is diverted into an ugly concrete channel. The River Lea originally carried on for a considerable distance northwards, for the original Tottenham Lock was much nearer Stonebridge, whilst the original Stonebridge Lock was north of its present location. Tottenham locks now mark a solid 11½ miles of artificial cut to Kings Weir near Broxbourne. Although the channel is very wide at this point, there have been a lot of complaints about the depth and detrius. After torrential rain in January 2008 so much mud was deposited from the side stream on the left that boats were struggling to get through probably about 2ft of water in centre channel!
One of the concrete channels parallel to the Lee Navigation, along which the waters of the Pymmes Brook is diverted.
Tottenham Locks from the west side. In the distance the new business barges are in evidence. From here to Stonebridge lock is the navigation's shortest pound
The Victoria Line's Tottenham tube station mural. This depicts the old ferry across the River Lea
Hale Wharf with newly moored business barges, two of which are based on the River Lea powder barges. These are Renaissance and Judith and built by Manor Marine in Dorset. The Lockwood Pipe bridge crosses the navigation and plyons are a-plenty
As well as being able to watch Victoria line trains being serviced at the nearby depot, boaters might spot the Alexandra Palace (top centre) It's a little more prominent as one boats northwards past Tottenham Marshes. A stopover at Stonebridge is the best option for a sortie to the huge IKEA and Tesco superstores nearby
General view of Stonebridge lock, showing the new shower and toilet block that was opened in 2005. This replaced an older facility by Tottenham lock. The electricity pylons have so far kept a discreete distance from the Lee Navigation/River Lea. Their presence becomes really obvious as one travels between Tottenham and Stonebridge locks, and they tail the Lee Navigation most of the way to the junction with the River Stort.
****WARNING!!!! Stonebridge East Lock (the power operated one) has been out of action since at least November 2007. Whilst the west (manual) lock is still operable, its EXTREMELY HARD to use. People with weak hearts should not attempt to operate the gear. You have been warned! BW do not envisage that the east lock wil be repaired until at least September 2008****
Stonebridge Lock - the lock keepers cabin with full switching equipment and gear - used only when BW boats use the lock - and the control panel for the East lock - just a simplified set of push-buttons
Before we leave Stonebridge lock, here's a view of the Lee Navigation (on right) and the River Lea (on left) in its ugly concrete channel. There's no doubt that the old river has seen better days
Even as one heads northwards there's a lot of rubbish still in the Lee Navigation, mostly which could be attributable to the proximity of the roads alongside the navigation in Edmonton where the potentiality for illegal dumping occurs. This huge telephone cable drum below Edmonton is a good example of the detrius that floats down the navigation. Rubbish is not the only problem. BW regularly cuts the weed above Stonebridge but it still gets phenomenally thick. I assume that its probably due to the amount of chemicals that get dumped in the navigation above here. There is a sort of window in the summer when the weed gets so thick, and boats may be likely to turn back.
The Lee Navigation at Edmonton. Its the most industrialised stretch of the waterway. There's factories, scrapyards, bus depots, car repair yards, furniture depots, a huge incinerator (its chimney can be seen on the left) and all the other industries that I've lost count of. There's also the A406 North Circular Road (in the distance.) And there's often a lot of dust blowing about if its dry weather. Add to all this that towpath along here. It must be the filthiest towpath in the whole country! No one seems to care about it - naturally its so overgrown and unkempt (dare I say an 'economical' way of hiding the filth?) Why use the towpath when the adjacent road offers an apparently more civilised way of getting from A to B? There are many wharves along here, no longer used but a good reminder of the canal's commercial days. Northwards the navigation is straight as an arrow for well over a mile to Picketts Lock. Heading as straight as possible is typical Lee Navigation fanfare, and its a strong reminder that the navigation is purely a canal and absolutely no more than that. The promoters' original aim in the heady days of the 1770's was to build the shortest and most direct route to Hertford. They didnt want a canal that wandered about all over the place - just one that got down to the serious business of getting there!
Since May 2006 contractors have been building a new access road along the navigation at Edmonton. This incorporates the towpath itself - and a pavement is being provided as an alternative. This has now been completed (summer 2006) and the country's most unkempt towpath no longer exists. The above view was taken in July 2006 and shows the works in an advanced state of completion, with the new road in use and the towpath/walkway waiting to have a new surface.
Having passed the North Circular Road and the Edmonton Incinerator plant, the Lee Navigation continues its straight-as-an-arrow run to Picketts Lock (in the far, far, distance.) Complimented by pylons on both sides of the waterway of course! (PS dont let it put you off! I much prefer this to the new main line in Birmingham between Smethwick and Tipton!) This location used to be known as Cooks Ferry. On the eastern boundary there was a wharf and ferry over the River Lea immediately adjacent to the navigation. There may have been a connection to the River Lea here serving the communities in the locale (there's a reference to one at 'Ponders End' but the river was so much further away from the navigation there)
NEXT:
Picketts Lock, Enfield and Rammey Marsh
London Canals
