Rochdale Summit - Book Now for Christmas!

Anyone intending to take a boat across the Rochdale Canal summit over Christmas or New Year should book their passage quickly.

If you want to cross the summit between Monday December 28th and Monday January 4th you must book by Thursday 24th December before 12.00 noon. This is because BW's office that handles bookings will be closed between Christmas and New Year.

There will be no passages on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day.

Passages on the Rochdale Canal Summit can be booked by phoning BW on 01782 785703.

The same booking arrangements also apply to passages along the Rochdale Canal between Lock 65 in Failsworth and Lock 83 in Manchester.



Summit of Rochdale Canal

Passage to Liverpool Resumes

Navigation to and from Liverpool has now resumed after being disruptted by an electrical fault on a swing bring in Maghull.

Maghull Hall Bridge (number 12) at Hall Lane, Maghull, was temporarily inoperable. Contractors have been on site and the bridge was re-opened on 18th December.

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

This stoppage is 2.5 miles before the start of the section of canal into Liverpool on which passage must be booked.


Hall Lane Bridge, Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Dangerous Building in Sowerby Bridge

A dangerous building has led to the closure of the Rochdale Canal and towpath in Sowerby Bridge.

British Waterways says that the canalside building has the potential to collapse across the canal.

The canal above Tuel Lock is currently closed to enable investigation of embankment leaks so BW has extended the section of canal currently closed to include the area affected by the dangerous building.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 01782 785703.


Tuel Lock, Rochdale Canal

Oil Spill shuts New Junction Canal

An oil spillage has closed the New Junction Canal, Yorkshire, between Sykehouse Lift Bridge and Sykehouse Lock.

The canal has been closed until the oil spill can be contained and removed. The stoppage is necessary to prevent the oil being spread further afield by boat movements.

Contractors will be on site tomorrow to begin the clear-up. An update will be issued on Friday 18th December at midday.

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

24th Dec: No update to this stoppage received yet from BW.


Sykehouse Lift Bridge, New Junction Canal

Paddle Failure on Rochdale

A failed paddle has led to a temporary stoppage at Lock 14 on the Rochdale Canal, between Hebden Bridge and Todmorden.

The broken top paddle at Holmcoat Lock is causing a substantial loss of water to the pounds above.

British Waterways will replace th epaddle as a matter of urgency. An update will be issued on Tuesday 15th December.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 01782 785703.

24th Dec: No update to this stoppage received yet from BW.

Electrical Fault stops passage to Liverpool

Navigation to and from Liverpool is affected by an electrical fault on a swing bring in Maghull.

Maghull Hall Bridge (number 12) at Hall Lane, Maghull, is temporarily inoperable. Contractors have been on site and will return on Monday to re-assess the situation.

British Waterways will issue an update notice on Monday 14th December 2009.

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

This stoppage is 2.5 miles before the start of the section of canal into Liverpool on which passage must be booked.


Hall Lane Bridge, Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Silt blocks Calder and Hebble

There is a temporary stoppage on the Calder and Hebble Navigation between Ganny Lock and Brookfoot Lock, west of Brighouse.

Following recent heavy rain, silt from Red Beck has built up into a bar, making navigation impossible.

British Waterways will start dredging work on Monday 16th December. An update will be issued when navigation has been restored.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 0113 281 6800.

The Calder and Hebble Navigation was plagued by a series of prolonged or unexpected stoppages earlier in the year.

Update (16th Dec):
BW hopes to have the dredging completed and the navigation re-opened by mid afternoon on Friday 18th December.


Calder and Hebble at Brookfoot, where Red Beck feeds into the navigation

Barnby Dun Bridge Closed (now re-opened)

Barnby Dun Lift Bridge on the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation is closed due to a hydraulic failure.

The bridge is between Doncaster and the junction of the Stainforth & Keadby and New Junction Canals.

British Waterways says that engineers are assessing the situation and that repairs will be instigated as soon as possible.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 0113 281 6800.

Update (3rd Dec):
The navigation is now re-opened.


Barnby Dun Lift Bridge