GUIDE TO THE RIVER BOLLIN

(Manchester Airport to Ashley Road)

NAME OF RIVER: Bollin.

WHERE IS IT?: This section of the Bollin runs from Manchester Airport Holiday Inn, to Ashley Road, south west of Hale.

PUT-INS/ TAKE-OUTS: Put in: From public footpath along right bank opposite Holiday Inn down steep, 5m bank. Parking in adjacent minor road bridging river. Take-outs: Road crossing at SJ770856; Footbridge by Hale golf club with 500m portage to road. Above weir at Little Bollington -(untried). No. 88 bus from Altrincham offers return transport to car.

APPROX LENGTH: 8.3km.
Further 6.2km to Little Bollington (not paddled)

TIME NEEDED: 3 1/2 hours to Ashley Road

ACCESS HASSLES: None. Single angler encountered who made no comments.

WATER LEVEL INDICATORS: 0.8m on EA Guage close to lowest paddling level. Higher levels will make more fallen trees impassable.

GRADING: Grade 1 at level paddled with single grade 1/2 rapid after railway crossing just before get out.

MAJOR HAZARDS/FALLS: Large weir at Little Bollington. Several fallen trees, most of which can be worked past from in the boat. Major tree fall obstruction 2km downstream from Ashley Road take-out would require portage. Possible further obstructions downstream.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Despite passing under the M56 and Manchester Airport's runway, it is a pastoral paddle, with the river mostly contained in a small gorge with limited pedestrian access to the banks. Numerous minor rapids makes for easy grade 1 paddling although restricted width on tight bends can cause problems in a longer boat. Not suitable for large groups.

OTHER NOTES:

CONTRIBUTED BY: Andy.