Breach south of Preston Brook

A breach has closed the Trent and Mersey Canal between Preston Brook Tunnel and Barnton Tunnel. Although this is just outside the area covered by Pennine Waterways website it could affect some boaters currently on the Bridgewater Canal or in the Manchester area.

The breach is understood to be a short distance south of Dutton Lock. The Canal and River Trust have issued a stoppage notice in which they describe the event as "erosion" rather than a breach!

A video of the scene of the breach has been posted here on YouTube by Little Leigh Village website. Facebook users can see photos on Little Leigh Village's Facebook page.

A shorter video clip can be seen here on YouTube.

The breach will affect boaters navigating the Cheshire Ring. The alternative route is through Manchester and via the Ashton, Peak Forest and Macclesfield Canals. Any boaters stuck north of the breach who genuinely need to leave their boat somewhere should contact Claymoore Boats at Preston Brook, who may be able to offer you a haven. If you are north of the breach on a hire boat based south of the breach it is likely that your hire company will arrange for you to take your boat to Claymoore Boats.

The photo below comes from the Little Leigh Village's Facebook page. [Little Leigh Village website]

Update Wednesday 26th September:
The Trent and Mersey Canal has now been closed to navigation between Preston Brook Runnel and Middlewich Big Lock. The Canal and River Trust says that the canal has suffered a breach at Dutton Hollow, near Preston Brook and also that significant damage has been done to a supporting embankment at Croxton Flash near Middlewich.


Breach on Trent and Mersey. Photo: Little Leigh Village's Facebook page

Floods close Yorkshire waterways

Many of Yorkshire's navigations are currently closed due to flooding caused by heavy rain.

Flood locks have been closed on the Calder and Hebble Navigation and the Aire and Calder Navigation. The "Don Doors" - the guillotine gates each side of the Don Aqueduct on the New Junction Canal - are also closed.

These stopppages are likely to remain in place for the rest of today.

Any enquiries about these stoppages should be made to the Canal and River Trust on 0303 0404040.

Update Wednesday 26th September, 9.00 am:
The flood lock gates on the Aire & Calder and the Calder & Hebble will remain closed today. The "Don Doors" on the New Junction Canal also remain closed.

Update Thursday 27th September:
The "Don Doors" on the New Junction Canal should by now have been re-opened but all the flood locks on the Aire & Calder will remain closed today. No information has been received about the Calder & Hebble.

Update Friday 28th September:
Water levels remain high on both the Calder & Hebble and the Aire & Calder Navigations so the flood locks are still shut.

Canal and River Trust staff will be monitoring the levels over the weekend and when they reduce to a safe level they will start to open the flood locks.

Update Tuesday 2nd October:
All flood locks on the Calder & Hebble Navigation have now been re-opened.


Don Aqueduct, New Junction Canal

Leeds and Liverpool blocked by fallen tree

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal has been closed to navigation west of Blackburn after high winds brought down a large tree.

The tree is blocking the canal between Fenniscowles Bridge (93b) and Stanworth Bridge (93). Winding is available west of Stanworth Bridge or at Eanam Wharf in Blackburn.

The Canal and River Trust will issue an update tomorrow (25th September). Any enquiries about this stoppage should be made to the Canal and River Trust on 03030 404040.

Update Tuesday 25th September, 4.30 pm:
The canal is still closed to navigation at this point.

Update Wednsday 26th September, 11.00 am:
The canal has now re-opened at this location.


The Leeds and Liverpool canal west of Fenniscowles

Barnby Dun Bridge Delays

Boaters using the South Yorkshire Navigation face delays at Barnby Dun following a problem with the lift bridge. A lorry has struck one of the barriers, rendering the bridge unsafe to use.

The Canal and River Trust will issue an update later today, with a possible re-opening date. The Canal and River Trust will try to provide a window today for boats to be assisted through the bridge.

Any enquiries about this stoppage should be made to the Canal and River Trust on 0303 0404040.

Barnby Dun lift bridge is between Doncaster and the junction with the New Junction Canal and Stainforth & Keadby Canal.

Update Monday 10th September, 4.00 pm:
The repairs have been completed and the bridge has now re-opened to navigation.


Barnby Dun Bridge, South Yorkshire Navigation