Rochdale stoppage to fix leaky aqueduct

There is to be a stoppage on the east side of the Rochdale Canal summit to fix the leaking Warland Aqueduct.

This section of canal will be closed between Monday 5th and Thursday 8th July. This is so that water levels can be lowered to allow for placement and compaction of puddle clay adjacent to the aqueduct. Boaters have been finding low water level in the pound, causing delays for boats crossing the summit.

As announced yesterday, water supply to the Rochdale summit is becoming critical so BW must act immediately to avoid this continuing waste.

BW is asking boaters booked to cross the summit to moor below Lock 30 or Lock 42 to await instructions.

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

Update 6th July:
BW reports that the work is going well and should be completed on Wednesday 7th July, after which passage across the summit can be resumed (although still on a restricted basis). Boaters heading east are warned of the current stoppage in the Sowerby Bridge area.


Rochdale Canal at Warland

Another delay on Huddersfield

There is to be a further emergency stoppage this week on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal near Uppermill.

Lock 20w, near Frenches Marina, will be closed between Wednesday 30th June and Friday 2nd July. This is to allow repairs to the head gate cill to maintain water levels in the pound above the lock. The wooden cill block is not currently forming a watertight seal, allowing water to drain through. The pound above the lock has had low water levels for some days, causing problems for boaters.

BW is hoping that the work can be completed by the morning of 2nd July and will issue an update when the lock has re-opened.

Damage to wooden cill blocks can occur when boaters attempt to enter or leave locks when water levels are too low.

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


Lock 20w

Rochdale Canal could run out of water...

The Rochdale Canal could run out of water in August unless there is significant rainfall before then, warned British Waterways' Manchester and Pennine area manager David Baldacchino today.

As the North West experiences the driest period since the 1920s, the continuing dry weather means that water supplies to the Rochdale Canal summit are looking increasingly uncertain. On top of this, BW learnt yesterday that one of their major feeds has been stopped. Mr Baldacchino warned that without significant rainfall soon, it looks likely that the water supply to the summit area will run out some time in mid August.

BW may soon be forced to suspend navigation across the summit and other parts of the canal until water supplies have been replenished. With this is mind, BW has stopped taking bookings for summit passages from mid August. They are also contacting people who have bookings in the period leading up to that time to discuss options with them.

We are happy to keep a provisional bookings list for the period after this date in case the situation changes, but clearly we cannot commit to being able to fulfil these bookings.

Also, and with immediate effect, British Waterways is asking boaters using Tuel Deep Lock in Sowerby Bridge to wait and share the lock with another boat, with the lock keeper at the site controlling this.

Mr Baldacchino added that BW will do its best to keep the canal open for as long as possible. Any enquiries regarding the situation should be made to BW on 01782 785703.

BW is hopeful that the water-based activities that will be part of the Rochdale Canal Festival at the end of July and beginning of August will not be affected, although no promises can be made.

Update 2nd July:
As water resources on the Rochdale Canal summit are diminishing with no sign in near future of replenishment, BW is reducing the number of passages across the summit. Only two boats a day in each direction will be allowed passage. Boaters should book their passage through the Red Bull office on 01782 785703, but be aware that the date they want may not always be available due to other bookings.


Rochdale Canal Summit

Water Shortage Affecting Leeds and Liverpool

The prolonged dry spell that the North West has been experiencing has led to a reduction in the opening hours of many locks on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

In order to help to preserve the limited water resources on the canal, the following modified restrictions will take effect from today, 28th June:

On the Wigan lock flight, here will be ONE supervised passage on Saturday, Sunday and Monday starting at 10.00 am PROMPT between Locks 65 (Wigan Top Lock) & Lock 85 (above junction with Leigh Branch). Any boats arriving after this time will have to wait until 10.00 am the following day for the next available passage.

The locks between Henhurst Lock (86) and Ell Meadow Lock (89) will be open to navigation, in each direction, from 9.00 am and with the last entry at 4.00 pm.

Poolstock Locks 1 & 2 on the Leigh Branch will be open to navigation, in each direction, from 9.00 am and with the last entry at 4.00 pm.

Passage between Dean Lock (90) and Appley Lock (91) will be open to navigation, in each direction, from 9.00 am and with the last entry at 4.00 pm.

Johnson's Hillock Locks (58-64), Blackburn Locks (52-57), Barrowford Locks (45-51), Bank Newton and Gargrave Locks (30-41) will be open to navigation, in each direction, from 10.00 am and with the last entry at 12.00 noon. They will open again at 2.00 pm with the last entry at 4.00 pm.

Greenberfield Locks (42-44) will be open to navigation, in each direction, from 9.00 am and with the last entry at 5.00 pm.

Times may be subject to change due to local water variations. British Waterways will not guarantee passage if water levels are not sufficient to permit navigation.

Enquiries about these restrictions should be made to BW on 01942 405700.

Between Bingley and Leeds, the normal seasonal opening hours still apply, namely:

Bingley Five Rise (25-29), Bingley Three Rise (22-24), Field Three Rise (16-18) - first passage 8.15 am, last passage 4.00 pm. (Local school holidays, last passage 5.00 pm.)

Newlay Locks to Spring Garden Lock (6-13) - first passage 8.15 am, last passage 3.00 pm.

Any boats arriving outside these times will have to wait until the next operating window for the next available passage .

One Day Stoppage on Ashton

The Ashton Canal will be affected by an emergency stoppage on Tuesday 29th June for the repair of a failed tailgate paddle on Lock 7 (Park Lock) next to Alan Turing Way.

Lock 7 will be closed between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm. Boaters should not set off along the canal unless they are willing to wait until 5.00 pm to pass through Lock 7. Boaters heading uphill should be aware that they will not reach suitable overnight moorings at Portland Basin until 8.00 pm or later.

This stoppage affects boaters doing the Cheshire Ring or the South Pennine Ring.

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

Update 29th June:
The repair has been completed by lunchtime and the canal has now re-opened.


Park Lock on the Ashton Canal

New Minister hedges on BW changes

The newly-appointed government minister with responsibility for the waterways is Richard Benyon MP.

His message to the waterway community upon appointment gives a rather mixed message. He said that the new Government would continue to look at the possibility of creating a "third sector" model for British Waterways, as this may fit neatly with the so-called "big society" philosophy.

However, he warned that nothing could be decided before the outcome of the Government's spending revue, as the Government's main objective was to reduce the deficit.

He gave the same reason for his decision not to proceed with a new Government waterways strategy. (Can he be referring to Defra's "Waterways for Everyone" strategy? What are the implications if this is abandoned?)

Mr Benyon also suggested that any "third-sector" waterway body could include the Environment Agency's navigations (such as the Thames, the Nene and the Broads). This suggestion has been welcomed by the IWA, which has campaigned for a nation waterway "conservancy" but is likely to be opposed by many boaters based on EA waters.

Repairs on Huddersfield mean delays

Unscheduled repairs to a lock on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal will mean delays for boaters heading across the canal.

It has been found that the wooden cills to the bottom gates at Lock 32 west (Diggle) have failed and filling the lock is becoming more difficult. BW has decided to replace the cills now, before passage becomes impossible.

The lock will be closed to navigation from 2.00 pm Wednesday 23rd to 12.00 noon Friday 25th June. This stoppage will affect boaters passing through Standedge Tunnel. Boaters with tunnel bookings should contact BW for advice on whether this will affect their booking.

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

Update 22nd June:
In addition to the stoppage shown above, BW will be making similar repairs to Lock 22w at Uppermill, where the quoins have failed, making filling difficult. Lock 22w will be closed from 7.30 am Thursday 24th June to 12.00 noon Friday 25th June.


Lock 32w at Diggle

Stoppage at Dobson Locks

There is a stoppage at Dobson Two-Rise Locks on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Apperley Bridge, near Leeds.

The stoppage will be today and tomorrow (21st - 22nd June). The locks will be dewatered in order to find the reason for water loss in the bottom chamber. If possible, repairs will then be carried out.

Stop planks will be put in place so that the bottom chamber can be completely dewatered.

Enquiries about this stoppage should be made to BW on 01942 405700.


Dobson Two-Rise Locks.

Hold-up in Huddersfield

Boaters passing through Huddersfield will experience delays due to a problem at Lock 1e at Huddersfield University.

The lock has suffered failure of the cill and quoins and cannot be kept full, making passage very difficult. The lock will be closed on Thursday 17th June to enable a BW team to make emergency repairs.

The lock will re-open at 9.00 am on Friday 18th June. In the meantime, eastbound boats should moor above Lock 3e. (BW suggests mooring above Lock 2e but there is little room there and no easy or official access to the street.)

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


Lock 1e, Huddersfield

Mooring Restrictions at Castlefield

Boaters visiting Manchester during the next month need to be aware that some of the mooring spaces in Castlefield will be out of use.

Between 7th Jane and 12th July boats will not be allowed to moor along the Staffordshire Arm, which is the arm leading from the bottom of the Rochdale Canal to the Museum of Science and Industry.

Alternative mooring can be had along the main Castlefield Basin (Coal Wharf) subject to space being available.

The arena area alongside the Staffordshire Arm is to be used for screening World Cup Football. Admittance to the big screen area is by ticket only.

Boaters requiring further information about this restriction should contact the Bridgewater Canal Company on 0161 629 8266.


Staffordshire Arm at Castlefield

Limited Passage Through Wigan

After the whole of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal through Wigan has been closed for two days, through lack of water, British Waterways is to introduce very restricted assisted passages though the affected area.

On the Wigan lock flight, here will be ONE supervised passage on Saturday, Sunday and Monday starting at 10.00 am PROMPT between Locks 65 (Wigan Top Lock) & Lock 85 (above junction with Leigh Branch). Any boats arriving after this time will have to wait until 10.00 am the following day for the next available passage.

The locks between Henhurst Lock (86) and Ell Meadow Lock (89) will be open between 8.00 am and 1.00 pm only. Any boats arriving after this time will have to wait until 8.00 am the following day for the next available passage.

Poolstock Locks 1 & 2 on the Leigh Branch will be open between 8.00 am and 1.00 pm only. Any boats arriving after this time will have to wait until 8.00 am the following day for the next available passage.

Passage between Dean Lock (90) and Appley Lock (91) will be strictly monitored. Passages will only be permitted if water levels allow.

British Waterways will not guarantee passage if water levels are not sufficient to permit navigation.

BW has brought in a pump to extract more water from the River Douglas at Scholes, which is slowly helping the situation.

BW has asked boaters not contact Freefone Canals for updates relating to these restrictions as this number is for emergencies only.

BW will issue a further update on Monday 7th June at 2.00 pm.

Enquiries about this stoppage should be made to BW on 01942 405700.

Update 7th June:
BW says that the above restrictions will remain in force for the time being.


Henhurst Lock, Wigan

Wigan Waterless Once Again

Boaters using the Leeds and Liverpool Canal will be dismayed to hear that the whole of the canal through Wigan has been shut due to low water levels.

This affects the Wigan lock flight and the locks west of Wigan, from Lock 65 to Lock 91 at Appley Bridge. It also includes the two locks at Poolstock on the Leigh Branch.

British Waterways says that, due to low water levels, these locks will be closed to allow the pounds sufficient time to recover to navigable levels.

BW will issue and update on Thursday 3rd June at 2.00 pm.

Enquiries about this stoppage should be made to BW on 01942 405700.

The same area was severely affected by low water levels during March, partly due to anti-social behaviour and partly to problems with the feeder from Scholes.

Update 3rd June:
As water levels in Wigan are not recovering quickly enough, BW is to use a pump to supplement the feeder from the River Douglas at Scholes. BW says this should improve the situation. They will issue a further update on Friday 4th June.

Update 4th June:
BW staff have helped some of the boats that were trapped to continue on their way. BW has now introduced very limited assisted passages through the Wigan flight and restricted opening below Wigan and on the Leigh Branch. See item above for details.


Wigan Flight