Canalside Railings Theft

Canal-side railings have been stolen by metal thieves at Sowerby Bridge.

A number of horizontal bars have been removed from the railings alongside the Rochdale Canal, near to Tuel Lane Lock.

British Waterways say: "The railings were not a priority for replacement as they did not form an integral safety aspect of the waterway."

There are, in fact, gaps in the railings to allow pedestrian access to the towpath, so no additional safety hazard has been introduced, but this would be different if railings were to be removed from alongside the lock, which is the deepest canal lock in England.

The photo (right) shows the railings before the theft.