Tinsley Locks to re-open

Tinsley Locks on the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation are to re-open after a month-long closure.

British Waterways has announced that water levels are now sufficient for some managed use of the locks to resume. Boats that have been waiting to pass through the locks will be assisted through by BW staff over the weekend.

Water levels will be checked again on Monday and, if levels are sufficient, normal passage will then resume.

The stoppage began a month ago, with a problem with the pumping system that feeds the summit level from the river, and a loss of water from the summit level between Tinsley and Sheffield. As a result, Tinsley Locks were closed on 24th September.

There had been a series of delays while BW had difficulty sourcing the parts to repair the pump. Then, apparently, the wrong parts were delivered, causing a further delay.

Then a culvert was found to have collapsed, reducing the flow into the Sheffield level. BW hopes that the problems have now finally been fixed!


Tinsley Locks

Fire Shuts Rochdale Canal at Miles Platting

Part of a mill wall has collapsed onto the Rochdale Canal between Locks 76 and 77, in Miles Platting, following a fire.

This has resulted in an emergency stoppage to both the navigation and towpath. BW will not be able to assess the extent of the damage until the fire is fully extinguished.

This is on the stretch of 19 locks along which passage must be pre-booked, so the canal will be closed between Locks 65 and 83. Boaters wishing to use the canal should moor at the Irk Aqueduct or Ducie Street until the canal is re-opened.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 01942 405700.

This stoppage causes a potential problem to boaters wishing to cross the Pennines, as the Huddersfield Narrow Canal is closed between Stalithwaite and Huddersfield.

Update 19th Oct:
The navigation has re-opened but the towpath remains closed between Locks 76 and 77.

BW will issue a further update on Monday 26th October.


Between Locks 76 and 77, Rochdale Canal

Stoppage at Lemonroyd

Lemonroyd Lock on the Aire and Calder Navigation between Leeds and Castleford is currently closed after a cill failed.

British Waterways has urged boaters not to proceed beyond Woodnock Lock or Casteford as mooring above and below Lemonroyd is limited.

In addition, rcent heavy rainfall may result in the river level rising below the lock which may make it unsuitable for mooring.

BW have started work to repair the cill and hope to have the lock re-opened on Saturday 10th October.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 0113 281 6860.

Update 9th Oct:
The lock has been repaired and the navigation has re-opened.


Lemonroyd Lock

Bridge Fault Shuts Lower Peak Forest

The Lower Peak Forest Canal is closed at Dukinfield because of a hydraulics problem with Stanley Lift Bridge.

It is reported that the bridge had jammed in the up position but had to be lowered by BW staff because it is the only access for Plantation Farm. It has reportedly been welded shut for safety reasons to prevent attempts to raise the bridge.

This stoppage affects boaters travelling around the Cheshire Ring.

BW will issue an update on Friday 2nd October.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 01942 405700.


Stanley Lift Bridge