Category Archives: VC York Stream

Maidenhead Waterways – Virtual Cruise (VC)

The Maidenhead Waterways run through Maidenhead to the west of the River Thames.  They include the five waterways shown on the map.

Map showing the route of the Maidenhead Waterways.
181120-1749

You can make a virtual cruise (VC) along the part of these waterways from the comfort of your armchair. Just select your starting point below, then click the next buttons to move along the waterway.

The very northern section of the Maidenhead Ditch and the White Brook aren’t yet covered by a virtual cruise.

Junction of the York Stream with the Bray Cut and the Moor Cut

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Junction of the York Stream with the Bray Cut and the Moor Cut.
181106-123922 – SU 89448 80657 – THAMES-YS 092-675

The Bray Cut runs from its junction with the River Thames to the outskirts of Maidenhead where the channel split at a “Y” shaped junction.

The Bray Cut runs from its junction with the River Thames to the outskirts of Maidenhead where the channel split at a “Y” shaped junction.

To the right, passing under the bridge, is the Moor Cut which once carried water but is now dry for most of its length.  Restoration is proposed to convert it back into a navigable channel.

Curving to the left, following the line of the footpath, is the York Stream which is navigable by small craft through the centre of Maidenhead.

The York Stream and the Moor Cut meet again and merge into a single channel on the far side of Maidenhead.

Stafferton Way Bridge

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Stafferton Way Bridge.
181106-124217 – SU 89256 80684 – THAMES-YS 092-880

The bridge carries Stafferton Way over the York Stream on the southern edge of Maidenhead town centre.

The construction of a lock and weir to the south of here will raise the water levels to give enough depth of water for navigation.  That will, however, reduce the headroom under this bridge, and several others of similar height.  Navigation will be restricted to small craft by either the shallow water depth, or the small headroom whatever the final water level is.

Narrow channel with low water level

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Narrow channel with low water level.
181106-124309 – SU 89228 80701 – THAMES-YS 092-905

The water level will be raised to navigable depth if the proposed lock and weir are constructed further south.

The embankment in the distance, at right angles to the channel, carries the Great Western Railway’s main line between Paddington and Reading.  It crosses on three small arches.

Railway Arches in Maidenhead

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Railway Arches in Maidenhead.
181106-124536 – SU 89171 80809 – THAMES-YS 093-040

The large embankment with the three arches carries the four tracks of the Great Western Railway Line over the York Stream.

The arches are one of several narrow points along the waterway which will limit the width of craft which can use it.

Construction of the proposed lock and weir further south will raise the water level to navigable depth, but reduce the headroom at the same time.