Water Shortages lead to Restrictions on Huddersfield Canal

Following restrictions for the Rochdale Canal summit, BW today announced new restrictions affecting the use of the Marsden lock flight on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. These are also due to water shortage.

Boats heading westwards and booked to travel through Standedge Tunnel should now be at Lock 24e (Slaithwaite Guillotine Lock) at 12.00 noon the day before the tunnel passage and to wait to be chaperoned up the remaining locks by BW staff.

Boats not booked to go through Standedge Tunnel should turn below Lock 22e in Slaithwaite and not proceed further.

Boats heading eastwards should moor overnight above Lock 42e in Marsden after they have passed through Standedge Tunnel. BW staff will arrive at 8.30 am the following morning and chaperone the boat down the lock flight.

Any enquiries about these restrictions should be made to BW in Leeds on 0113 2816860.


Lock 42e, Huddersfield Narrow Canal

Water Shortages lead to Restrictions on Rochdale Canal

A shortage of available water in the reservoirs feeding the Rochdale Canal means that BW has changed the arrangements for boats passing over the canal's summit between Walsden and Littleborough. Boat numbers are limited and passage supervised through six locks on each side of the summit pound. It is hoped that this revised operation will conserve water resources and prolong the operation of the canal as far as possible.

Boat passage across the summit must be booked at least 48 hours in advance (or longer to avoid possible disappointment, as daily numbers are severely limited).

To book a passage, phone Customer Services at Wigan on Monday to Friday between 08.30 am and 4.00 pm. Tel: 01942 405700. If you need to call at a weekend to book a passage, contact the lock keeper on 0773 3124596 who operates a call back service for passage bookings only.

Passages across the summit section commence daily at 11.00 am at either Lock 31 (Lightbank Lock) or Lock 44 (Sladen Lock). There is currently a maximum of two boats a day permitted in each direction.

Unless a mooring on the summit has been booked, boats must make a continuous passage between Locks 31 and 44. Visitor mooring on Summit is available for up to 48 hour, but must be booked in advance. Mooring on the summit is at boaters' own risk of becoming stranded due to water issues. If intending to moor on the summit, passage off the summit passage must be booked at same time as passage on to the summit. For those who have booked a summit visitor mooring, passages off the summit at Locks 36 or 37 will start at 9.00 am Monday to Sunday.

Lock keepers will ensure that boats within the critical summit section are doubled up wherever possible in order to maximise efficient use of water resources. Boaters are asked to follow any instructions or advice given by lock keepers.

Boats arriving late for bookings will be rescheduled. However, BW may allow additional passages, subject to water availability and at the discretion of the local lock keepers. This can only be established at short notice due to the rapid changes in water conditions.

Recommended moorings for boats booked to cross the summit are as follows: -
• East side: - Customers booked for the summit should moor the previous night below Lock 31.
• West side: - Customers booked for the summit should moor the previous night below Lock 44.
• Summit: - 48 hour mooring is available on Summit (see conditions above).
All boats not crossing the summit should wind below Lock 30 (Winterbutlee) on the east side and below Lock 48 (Littleborough) on the west side.

Any enquiries should be made to BW on 01942 405700.

Summit pound, Rochdale Canal

Leak shuts part of Rochdale Canal

Four miles of the Rochdale Canal in Yorkshire are currently closed following a leak near Sowerby Bridge.

Water levels on the 2.5 mile long pound between Tuel Deep Lock (3/4) and Brearley Lower Lock (5) are very low, making navigation impossible. Investigations by BW staff revealed that water is leaking from the pound.

Attempted repairs carried out over the weekend have not been successful and the pound remains closed to navigation. More substantial repairs will be carried out this week and BW will issue an update on Wednesday 1st July.

The stoppage has been extended to Broadbottom Lock (7) at Mytholmroyd. Boaters intending to use this stretch of canal can obtain the latest information by contacting the lock keeper at Tuel Lane (07717342258).

Rochdale Canal near Sowerby Bridge: currently un-navigable

Honour for IWA's John Fletcher

Tireless north-west canals campaigner John Fletcher has been awarded an O.B.E. in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.

John Fletcher was National Chairman of the Inland Waterways Association from 2002 to 2008. He is currently Chairman of the Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal Society and Vice-President of The Waterways Trust.

He has played an extensive role in campaigning for waterway restoration schemes throughout the north-west, including the Anderton Boat Lift, the Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal and the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal.

John's O.B.E. has been awarded for services to the inland waterways.

Wildlife to get the High Life

Wildlife in Leeds are to experience high-rise living thanks to a development alongside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Garnett Netherwood Architects have won a competition to design wildlife habitats to attract wildlife back to the area of Holbeck Urban Village, near the canal in Leeds.

Garnett Netherwood, who have designed three office buildings in Holbeck, near Office Lock, won the compatition with designs for 12 metre high towers to be constructed from recycled materials. The design mimics the three historic Italianate towers that are preserved in the Holbeck development.

It is described as a "concept" that would need further evolution. It is hoped that the towers would attract bats, birds, butterflies and insects.

Artist's impression: Garnett Netherwood Architects

Canal Street Fence: BW to improve safety at lock

Following a wave of protests that the safety fence planned for Canal Street in Manchester will block access to Lock 86, British Waterways has announced a package of safety measures.

Boaters were concerned that the new fence would make the use of Lock 86 on the Rochdale Canal more hazardous if foot access to the lock is stopped. Some had expressed concern that BW was not looking after the interests of boaters in this case.

BW has now responded to the criticisms by announcing a package of measures to improve safety at Lock 86 and "design out" the need for boaters to climb over the wall and use historic steps.

Details of the safety measures and photos of the locations, along with questions arising from the plans can be found on this page.

A new landing is to be added on the offside above Lock 86

One Day Stoppages on Leeds & Liverpool Should Help Water Levels

Bank Newton Locks on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal will have two one-day stoppages so that worn-out paddles can be replaced.

Lock 40 on the Bank Newton lock flight will be closed on Friday 12th June.

Because the locks are already subject to restricted opening hours, this means that the locks will close at 6.00 pm on 11th June and re-open at 10.00 am on 13th June.

Lock 39 on the Bank Newton lock flight will be closed on Friday 19th June.

Because the locks are already subject to restricted opening hours, this means that the locks will close at 6.00 pm on 18th June and re-open at 10.00 am on 20th June.

Both ground paddles at the lock are worn out and need replacing urgently. British Waterways believes that this will aid water control and significantly reduce the loss of water in the East Marton pound, which has been a problem for some time.

Anyone needing more information about these stoppages should contact BW on 0113 281 6860.

Lock 40, Bank Newton

Marsden lock flight re-filled

The water levels on the Marsden lock flight on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal have now returned to normal after being drained by a boater last week.

Both sets of paddles on Locks 40E to 36E had been left open by a boater heading downhill, resulting in the pounds being completeley drained. When stopped further down the canal, the boater, who claimed to have had 20 years' experience, said he had left the paddles up at both ends of the locks to help another boat that was following.

This made the flight impassable and it had to be closed to allow the water levels to recover. Because BW is only allowed a certain amount of water from Yorkshire Water it took several days before the levels returned to normal.

The water level on the summit pound was down by 6 inches which meant passages through Standedge Tunnel had to be suspended, as the tunnel sides taper below the normal water level.

It is actions such as this which have previously caused BW to padlock the flight and only allow boats through under escort. This is the first year that boaters have been allowed to make their own way up or down the flight.

Boaters intending to use this part of the canal or booked through Standedge Tunnel should contact the BW on 0113 281 6860 for the latest information.

Lock 40e, Marsden

One Day Stoppage on Leeds & Liverpool Should Help Water Levels

Lock 40 on the Bank Newton lock flight of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal will be closed on Friday 12th June.

Because the locks are already subject to restricted opening hours, this means that the locks will close at 6.00 pm on 11th June and re-open at 10.00 am on 13th June.

Both ground paddles at the lock are worn out and need replacing urgently. British Waterways believes that this will aid water control and significantly reduce the loss of water in the East Marton pound, which has been a problem for some time.

Anyone needing more information about this stoppage should contact BW on 0113 281 6860.

Lock 40, Bank Newton

Fence will block access to lock

It was reported here in April that Manchester City Council is proposing to construct a safety fence along the side of Canal Street in Manchester. Aside from any adverse visual impact on the area, the fence would block access on foot for lock-wheelers to Lock 86 of the Rochdale Canal.

British Waterways has dismissed objections to this by saying that the steps are no longer safe and that the lock can be accessed by boat.

However, as the correct notices were not displayed, new notices have been issued and a new period for comments allowed. Comments will now be accepted up until 19th June 2009. The decision will now be taken by the planning committee at a meeting on 23rd July at 2.00 pm in the Town Hall Annexe.

Please follow this link to read more about Canal Street and the potential problems the fence could cause for boaters. There are links to the planning documents and the place where you can make comments on the application.


Lock 86, Rochdale Canal

Huddersfield Narrow pounds emptied

The Marsden lock flight on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal has been closed for a day or two after careless boaters left paddles open.

Paddles on Locks 40E to 36E had been left open by boaters heading downhill, resulting in the pounds being completeley drained.

This made the flight is impassable and it has been closed to allow the water levels to recover. Because BW is only allowed a certain amount of water from Yorkshire Water it could take several days before the levels have returned to normal.

Boaters intending to use this part of the canal or booked through Standedge Tunnel should contact the BW on 0113 281 6860 for the latest information.


Lock 39e, Marsden

One Day Stoppage at Hebden Bridge

The Rochdale Canal is to be closed for one day tomorrow (June 3rd) between Locks 8 and 9 in Hebden Bridge.

This stoppage is in order to complete repairs to the tailgate paddle at Lock 9.

For the latest information about this stoppage, contact BW on 01942 405 700.


Lock 9, Rochdale Canal

One Day Stoppage at Marple

Marple Locks (1 to 16) are to be closed for one day tomorrow (June 2nd).

This is to enable investigation works to be carried out on a damaged cill at Lock 4.

If any stoppage is required for a repair then an update will follow.

For the latest information about this stoppage, contact BW on 01942 405 700.

This stoppage will affect boaters travelling around the Cheshire Ring.

Wooden cill blocks form a watertight seal when the gates are closed. It is possible that one of the cill blocks here has been struck by a boat entering or leaving the lock while the level of the pound was too low. If a cill block is damaged or dislodged, there is no watertight seal and it becomes very difficult either to fill or to empty the lock, depending on which end of the lock is affected.


Lock 4, Marple

Leeds and Liverpool Leak closes canal near Parbold

There was an emergency stoppage this morning on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Parbold and Burscough.

This was due to "a significant leak" at Deans Lane Aqueduct (37a) a mile west of Parbold village.

Contractors were due out on site this morning and BW will issue an update notice later today.

BW is advising boaters to wind below bridge 27a, Scarisbrick Bridge or above bridge 42, Appley Bridge.

Update:
The navigation has now been re-opened.
Presumably the contractors have deposited a layer of clay on the canal bed in the affected area. This swift re-opening is a happy contrast with a similar leak on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal which closed that canal recently for two weeks.

Today's leak near Parbold happened on a 27 mile long pound between Appley Bridge and Liverpool, so it could have become necessary to block off the canal on each side to prevent a major water loss had the repair not worked straight away.

Deans Lane Aqueduct is not from from where a major embankment breach occurred near Newburgh in July 2003.


Deans Lane Aqueduct, Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Meet the Bosses again

Following last year's "meet the people" tour by Robin Evans and other BW Directors a similar series of meetings is taking place in 2009.

BW is describing these as "customer meetings" and invites its "customers" to attend. These meetings are described as being "a good opportunity for you to ask questions and for British Waterways to explain its future direction and proposed 2020 strategy".

In the north, meetings with Directors Vince Moran and Caroline Killeavy will take place at the following locations -

Saturday 6th June:
• Tommy Hatton's Meeting Room, Guy's Thatched Hamlet, Bilsborrow, nr Preston, PR3 0RS. 10.00 - 11.30 am
• Thomas Bourne Room, Standedge Visitor Centre, Marsden, HD7 6NQ. 2.30 - 4.00 pm
(to attend, contact Denise Bradshaw on 01942 405793)

Saturday 11th July:
• BW Office Rooms 1+2, Fearns Wharf, Leeds, LS9 8PB. 10.30 am - 12.00 noon
(to attend, contact Linzi O'Neill on 0113 281 6861)

BW Re-organisation - Have Your Say!

It was reported here in April that British Waterways was proposing to restructure its operations in England and Wales.

BW is asking for comments on this restructuring. Submissions to this consultation are invited up until 6th July 2009.

A pdf document "Consultation Document on Proposed New BW Boundaries" can be found here. This includes a Response Form for your thoughts. The form only concerns itself with boundary points between the areas and the names of the new areas. However, it invites you to append any other comments on a separate sheet.

If you would like to respond online, you can download a Word version of the Response Form, which can be returned as an email attachment to boundaryconsultation@britishwaterways.co.uk


Extract from BW map of proposed new units

For the area covered by Pennine Waterways website, the proposed changes would result in smaller North West and Yorkshire units, based at the existing Wigan and Leeds offices, and a new Peak and Pennine unit, which could include the Huddersfield Narrow, Rochdale and Peak Forest Canals, based at Northwich (see map extract).

BW says that the 11 proposed waterway units, to take effect from October 2009, will deliver improved levels of efficiency and customer service. In the revised structure, certain functions which fall outside of day-to-day maintenance, such as managing moorings, developing partnerships and carrying out major engineering projects, will be undertaken by specialist centralised teams.

BW's Simon Salem comments: "Each waterway unit is intended to be similar in length and with a similar number of physical structures. Beyond that, optimising water control and supply has been a major factor influencing proposed boundaries and we've also tried to reflect local authority and regional development agency administrative areas."

"The aim of the restructure is to achieve greater operating efficiency and, although boundaries between one waterway unit and another should be seamless, boat owners and boating trade customers in particular may wish to have a say in the final boundary decisions. This includes whether the locations of the boundaries are appropriate, plus any suggestions for the naming of particular waterway groupings."

More information about BW's proposals can be found on its website, here: www.britishwaterways.co.uk/twentytwenty.
The document "Twenty Twenty - a Vision for for the Future of our Canals and Rivers" can be downloaded here.

A short report will be published following the consultation summarising the feedback received and any changes to the boundaries made as a result.