SAC’s latest addition to its portfolio of waters is situated immediately upstream of the Pimley stretch. In years gone by it was controlled by the Rolls-Royce club, and as a consequence it was referred to as the Royce’s Water.
Telford Way bridge
The upstream limit is above Telford Way road bridge, where some houses are situated close to the river. Parking is available on the other side of the bridge or at Sydney Avenue. The river here is roughly 6 feet deep and flows over silty gravel. Brookey’s Hole is situated here, named after Jack Brookes, a well-known local angler who in days gone by was known for catching many salmon from his favourite peg there.
Below the bridge the river is deeper and has been known to turn up quantities of bream. Further down you’ll see a high muddy bank on the opposite side. The river here is quite shallow and runs over gravel. Barbel and chub inhabit this area and often migrate upstream to the deeper water during the winter months.
The Daisybank
Continuing downstream you’ll reach the first of two small streams that enter the river. The second is spring fed and can provide a cooling drink on a hot summer’s day. Having crossed them, you’ll arrive at what locals call The Daisybank. Like much of this part of the river, it’s quite overgrown and in need of sympathetic landscaping. The river here can be accessed from Lesley Owen Way, just off Sundorne Road.
The Bay
Continuing downstream, the river is narrower and relatively deep, with a silt bottom. Here you’ll arrive at The Bay, where a cutting was made years ago to link with the Shrewsbury Canal, which was filled in during the sixties and seventies. The river then starts to shallow up before running over bedrock and joining our Pimley stretch. The river here can also be accessed from the Coracle pub car park.
This water has been sadly neglected for some years, and a fair degree of work is needed to establish safe and accessible pegs.