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
Begging bowl now out (:-(
ReplyDeletehttp://canalrivertrust.org.uk/get-involved/appeals/help-repair-the-trent-and-mersey-canal-breach
This is now OUR canal and it's really easy to donate just a fiver via text to assist in raising the £1.5M needed. Just text BREACH to 70800.
DeleteIt has been our canal for decades.
DeleteTap the fishermen and cyclists up the boaters all ready pay to much ATB Geoff
DeleteWell Geoff - this was a main principle in the grant in aid system of financing maintenance. By using general taxation funds to catch those who do not contribute directly to their upkeep by other means.
Delete