House near canal

gnvqsos

We lived near the Alnwick and Anal Canal in Northumberland and had numerous close encounters,and had to fit a pump in basement.We had to create two addresses,23 and 23A-we simply insured the top half of our house and left the bottom half risk-exposed.The Churchill gave us the thumbs up but we did have to send in photos of the exposed bottom half which they later returned once copied.

Gers

The canal were I live has a water waster which releases excess water straight into the sea if levels rise too much. It’s very rainy here!

The benefits outweigh any perceived disadvantages. No smell (no sewage contamination), no midges (open land) and no anti-social behaviour.

TheBanker

gnvqsos wrote: »

We lived near the Alnwick and Anal Canal in Northumberland and had numerous close encounters

Could you please fully address the OPs questions? In particular do you have a problem with smells and/or insects?

EachPenny

TheBanker wrote: »

Could you please fully address the OPs questions? In particular do you have a problem with smells and/or insects?

I'd have thought the 'apprehension' is also fully justified, especially if insects are involved. :eek:

happyandcontented

gnvqsos wrote: »

We lived near the Alnwick and Anal Canal in Northumberland and had numerous close encounters,and had to fit a pump in basement.We had to create two addresses,23 and 23A-we simply insured the top half of our house and left the bottom half risk-exposed.The Churchill gave us the thumbs up but we did have to send in photos of the exposed bottom half which they later returned once copied.

And where is that located!;)

TheBanker

happyandcontented wrote: »

And where is that located!;)

It's in the bottom part of the county.

EachPenny

EachPenny wrote: »

As others have said, canals can flood, it is just that they were designed and maintained not to flood. Lock keepers or lengthsmen were employed to do various tasks including opening sluices in times of heavy rainfall in order to maintain the levels.
<snip>
It is however something that buyers need to be aware of.... even the best maintained systems sometimes go wrong.

A timely reminder that canals can and do flood sometimes....

Passer-by saves family after Leeds canal burst its banks
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-43640625

Annie35

Anywhere can flood you only need a blocked drain... but as the threads popped back up UPDATE for you all after days of non stop rain..

pony fields are knee deep!! Town park needs a boat to cross!! The Isle is an Isle once more!! The angry tidal river is holding &... The canal is actually low not even slightly bothered by the rain lol

lovehols

I can speak from.experince. We have moved a week ago onto a canal. The bungalow needs some renovation and we have some grand ideas but structurally it is sound and is heaven!!

http://imgbox.com/4iij554T

We lived around 10 mins from a canal in a different county and I run a lot. I always loved the canals but didn't want to live towpath side. When we came.across this one we fell.in love with it as it is not towpath side therefore you have your privacy.

It is close to a lock and further up a staircase lock. We have a weir on the canal so it always has moving water so no smells. It is a popular tourist canal, one of the most beautiful I am told so it is busy, but also rural. I suspect this won't be the same for city canals. Our home insurance was cheaper than our 2 bed bungalow in another area, a buildings insurance quote will tell you if insurance is an issue, that's with declaring close proximity to water and trees.

Do some research into how busy the canal gets as we know that in summer it can get busy, though the boats going past the window isn't an issue for us. We also visited a lot of times to see queues at the locks and made enquiries with neighbours etc. I wouldn't want to live on the towpath side, dogs, walkers, fishing etc....

I love the boats, the ducks, the relaxing feel without the risk of flooding. The survey said it is a flood risk but due to surface water, as would significant parts of the UK. Our buildings quote was £65 a year so see what quotes say before considering but canals aren't considered a flood risk.

We noticed some mouse traps in the garage (outbuildings) but I wouldn't say this is an issues related to just canals. I've seen more rats staying in my Kensington hotels when I'm.working in London walking to and from the tube. No sign of midges yet.

If anyone wants any info please ask.

lovehols

One other thing I'd say is to contact the Canal and River Trust too, if you have specific queries. They were really helpful for us