Melksham
This slipway allows access to around 2 to 3 miles upstream from this point of the River Avon. There is an unguarded weir a few hundred yards downstream of this point.
There are no navigation rights or authority here at present. The river floods frequently in period of wet weather. EA manage the river watercourse.
Access to this slipway is very limited and difficult as there is not sufficient space to turn a Wilderness trailer at the bottom of the access road and so reverse on to the slipway. The only way is to turn in the car park outside the local primary school and reverse down the road. At times when the parents are collecting their children it is VERY busy here and access should NEVER be attempted for safety reasons at this time!
The slipway is located tucked away behind the local Melksham canoe club and the access road and the slipway may be blocked by their use. In the map below, you can see another slipway on the overhead shot, this slipway finishes at the waters edge and cannot be used for heavy trailers as the wheels fall off the edge before the boat can be recovered.
The slipway is also VERY steep and consideration should be given to chocking your car wheels, as your handbrake may not be good enough to stop your car ending up in the river!! You have been warned.
Cost: Free
See map below for location.