On to Twyford, South Mill and Bishops Stortford
A modern 'traditional style' bridges on the Stort navigation. All the other 'modern' style bridges are just glorified concrete dumps! This lengthy straight out of Spellbrook catches boaters unaware when tthe river delves into a 's' bend before easing out for the run through Hertfordshire/Essex border countryside en route to Twyford. The Stort valley becomes quite narrow and steep sided though its not so well apparent from the river itself, save perhaps in the winter months when less foilage means for example traffic can be seen traversing the Hallingbury road high up on the hillside between Twyford and South Mill.
The approach to Twyford lock. The landing stage is rather short for most narrow boats. Crews must cross the road to operate the lock. The landing stages above Twyford and South Mill similarly are extemely small, it seems they were designed for rowing boats!
The much altered mill buildings at Twyford. The lock is quite a deep one. Above Twyford lock the Stort takes a series of sharp bends through the Rushy Meads nature reserve. Its a delightful stretch of river to moor along if one can manage to pull in amongst the reeds
If one looks by the top west side paddle gear at Twyford a marker can be seen, these were to indicate the working head of navigation level as set out in an agreement from 1910, to protect both the navigation and mills from suffering from over-abstraction of water along the Twyford - South Mill section. Another plaque can be seen at the tail of South Mill lock
Canoeists on a December morning above Twyford lock
Beyond Rushy Mead nature reserve, there's just one more lock at South Mill before one enters Bishops Stortford
South Mill - lock, cottage and moorings
Boat entering South Mill lock. These original tiebar thingys (right) can be seen at South Mill, as well as several other Stort locks
Plaque to commoreate the works undertaken to reopen the navigation seen at South Mill lock. Another example exists at Sawbridgeworth lock
London Road bridge, Bishops Stortford, is on a blind bend. Boaters take care here!
Is this a wharf off the river? Actually its a winter 2007 view from London Road bridge which shows the enormous changes happening here. Development is occuring all the way from the railway bridge to the town centre
Despite the location being in Bishops Stortford itself there's still a feel of the countryside about! Since this picture was taken much pruning has taken place in connection with the constantly changing river front in Bishops Stortford, and this idyliic scene may have been lost forever as every single bit of the land alongside the river is now under development
Modern buildings going up along the riverfront everywhere in Bishops Stortford. Its a very prosperous town - no doubt due to Stansted Airport, just a couple of miles away
The same location from the towpath, winter 2007. Notice the much tidier towpath! A new footbridge is being built here at the old goods yard
The town centre bridge. To the left are the shops, theres a good choice of shops and supermarkets. On the right is the sanitary station, water point etc. The railway station is also off to the right. Straight ahead are the visitor moorings
This is a winter 2007 pic showing the new development that has sprung up at the head of navigation. The flats (seen above right and in the pic below) are completely dwarfed by this new development
The end of the Stort navigation at Causeway bridge, Bishops Stortford. The original Stort Navigation wharf was located behind this new development. There were in fact three arms serving wharves, of which only the above one remains. There is talk of extending the navigation for a short distance beyond the bridge. It would certainly improve the mooring conditions at the head of navigation
London Canals
