SWAN LINE - FRADLEY

The Swan Line Yard is situated where the Coventry and Trent and Mersey Canals join. To find the yard by road locate the A38 between Lichfield and Burton-on-Trent. From this road there is a turn directing you to Fradley Park, turn here and follow the signs sending you towards it (it is actually an industrial estate) Head down the road and keep an eye out for a Go-Kart track on your left and take the first turn after this to your right, then turn left at the next cross-roads, and be warned, when I was there the mischief-makers had turned around the sign for Fradley Junction so don’t think they are correct. After crossing the canal on the hump-backed bridge turn sharp left and along there you will find the yard just after The Swan public house. When you first arrive use the pub car park (but see note below).

The yard is privately owned by the Tranters and the Taylors. When you first arrive, if you go in to the shop you are likely to be seen by Christine Sherratt (no relation to Guy on the helpline) or Susan Tranter. Outside, about the site, you will encounter Geoff Taylor (who might be a good person to ask if you have any problems with your boat), Dave Taylor and Dave Riley. Official opening hours are 9-4 (ish) during the “winter” and 9-5 in the “summer”, though, for the latter they may stay later. On Sunday’s they open 10 am - 4 pm (ish).

The telephone number there is 01283 790332, where a second line may be added in due course. Whilst in the general area of telephone numbers, should you need a taxi you could try 01283 790191 or 01543 254999.

Moorings are linear, two abreast when required, and I can imagine that until all the hire boats are out that space will be at a premium although they also operate from the other side of the canal and will temporarily put boats over there when the space outside the pub is full. If you find your boat moored on the opposite side of the canal when you arrive it may be possible to ask a member of staff to bring it across. There is a small dingy which they use like a child’s scooter to “hop” from one side to the other. This is something I would not recommend you try - it is possible to walk around using the lock and swing bridge.

The main “problem” that they have at the yard is that they have no car-park and they therefore use a piece of land behind the pub. As they do not own the land there is a charge made of £8 per week per car and this should be paid to Swan Line (not the pub) before you depart and they ask that you leave your car keys with them “just in case” although I would suggest that whilst this is preferable if you see it as a problem, i.e. you are returning at 3 in the morning, then there could be a way around this - they do tell me that they have never had any security related problems.

Apart from the usual services such as gas, diesel etc. (and a dry dock) there is a small grocery shop on site, otherwise the nearest main town is Lichfield, some six miles away. When you return if you are able to use the yard for your services I am sure they would appreciate it as the money collected will go some way to covering the little jobs on your boat that inevitably they will forget to charge for! The fuel point is on the other side of the canal to the gas etc. so would suggest you ask for guidance the first time you return, or, indeed, before you depart.

You are able to obtain life jackets from them should you need them and if you need an anchor, again, this may well be possible but you need to ask. If you intend to clean the boat yourself on site we do have a mains powered cleaner - this should NOT be run off an inverter should your boat have one so please ask them for an extension lead if you borrow it.

The Tranter’s and the Taylor’s were new to this yard in 2001, and equally new to the canals in the UK, though some of the staff have experience in servicing boats from work they engaged in abroad. I found them most obliging and would welcome any feed back.

Finally, Stuart Aston, who looks after our sites in the Staffordshire area, will be calling in there most Fridays, should you need to speak to him then his mobile telephone number is 07761 855 452.

NB. The Swan Pub are very protective of their “main” car park. If you park in there for just a few minutes I would suggest that you leave your “hazard” lights on. If you need to leave your car there for longer please ask their permission. Normally this would be given but please do ask - even when they are closed (if possible).