Damaged cill shuts Littleborough flight

The Littleborough lock flight on the Rochdale Canal is currently closed after a boat hit and damaged the head gate cill at Lock 41 at Sladen.

The canal will be closed between locks 36 and 44 until repairs have been carried out.
The River and Canal Trust has been investigating today and will issue an update as soon as they know more.

Mooring upstream is possible below lock 34, with winding possible between lock 33 & 34.

Mooring downstream is possible below lock 48, with winding possible between lock 45 & 46.

Update Friday 26th July:
Until the lock can be properly repaired, the Canal and River Trust will be providing assisted passage through lock 41 between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm in conjunction with the opening times of the Summit.

Note:
Boaters should be aware that, when closed, a lock gate butts up to a wooden cill (or threshold) that forms a water-tight seal against the gate. These wooden cills are usually slightly higher than the adjacent canal bed. Attempting to enter or leave a lock when water levels are too low can result in the boat's skeg catching the cill and damaging it, or even ripping it out of place. This will mean a water-tight seal cannot be made, making it difficult (or impossible) to completely empty or fill the lock. Boaters should not attempt to force a boat over a cill but should ensure that the water level is increased before proceeding. If necessary the Canal and River Trust should be called out to assist.


Lock 41, Rochdale Canal

Bridge strike closes Rochdale Canal

The Rochdale Canal has been closed between Locks 13 and 15 between Todmorden and Hebden Bridge after a vehicle struck the parapet of Shaw Wood Bridge (no. 25) alongside Shaw Plains Lock (no. 15).

Significant damage has occurred to the downstream bridge parapet and an inspection has confirmed that there is a risk of the parapet falling into the canal.

Contractors have been appointed to take down and make safe the affected section of parapet. The canal will reopen as soon as the parapet has been made safe.

Locks 13 and 15 will be locked off until the parapet has been made safe. Winding is available below Lock 16 and below Lock 9.

Update Friday 26th July:
The bridge has been made safe and this section of canal has now re-opened to navigation.


Shaw Wood Bridge over the Rochdale Canal

Police incident leads to stoppage on Macclesfield

A police incident has closed the Macclesfield Canal at Congleton.

The canal and towpath are closed either side of Bridge 75 near Congleton Railway Station until further notice.
The Canal and River Trust will issue an update as soon as they can re-open the area.

Update Thursday 25th July:
The canal and towpath are now fully re-opened.


The Macclesfield Canal below Congleton Station

Water supply restrictions start on Leeds and Liverpool

As the hot weather continues, the first restrictions begin in a bid to conserve dwindling water supplies on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

The lock flights at Greenberfield and Barrowford, on either side of the canal's summit level, will be locked overnight.

The two lock flights will be open for navigation between 10.00 am and 8.00 pm daily. Last entry into each lock flight will be at 7.00 pm. Any boats that have not cleared the flight by 8.00 pm will be locked in overnight although the Canal and River Trust warns of the possibility of the intermediate pounds de-watering during the night.

These restrictions will begin on Monday 22nd July until further notice.

At Barrowford, Locks 41 and 51 will be locked overnight. At Greenberfield, Locks 42 and 44 will be locked overnight.

Update Friday 19th July:
In addition, the lock flights at Bank Newton and Gargrave will be locked overnight. The times will be the same as above, i.e. open between 10.00 am and 8.00 pm with last entry at 7.00 pm. Locks 30 and 35 at Gargrave and 36 and 41 at Bank Newton will be locked overnight.


Barrowford Locks

Water supply problems on Rochdale

The hot and dry weather is resulting in water supply problems on part of the Rochdale Canal.

The Summit pound was closed last week because of low water levels. While the water level was down, investigations into the water loss were carried out and it was discovered that a large void had appeared. Emergency repairs were carried out in an attempt to prevent further water loss and the Summit was re-opened for a restricted period each day.

However, the Summit pound is still not re-filling as expected and so was closed again.

Restricted opening of the Summit is expected to be happen on Thursday 18th, Friday 19th, Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st July between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm.

Anyone intended to navigate across the Rochdale Canal should contact the Canal and River Trust on 03030 404040 for the latest status on this.

Meanwhile the shortage of water at the summit is affecting parts of the canal further down. If boaters find themselves in difficulty. the Canal and River Trust is asking boaters not to attempt to sort things out for themselves, but to call them on 03030 404040 (or 0800 47 999 47 out of hours) and they will send someone to help. Boaters are urged to share locks if possible and to ensure that all paddles are left completely closed.

Update Monday 22nd July:
The Summit pound will continue to be open between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm each day until further notice and the Canal and River Trust will continue to monitor water levels.


The Summit Pound, Rochdale Canal

Swing bridge stoppage near Bingley

There is a stoppage on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Skipton and Bingley.

This is because Leaches Swing Bridge (196) just west of Riddleston is closed to navigation due to a pintal failure.

An inspection has revealed that the damage to the bridge is severe and the Canal and River Trust is reviewing the best method of repair. An update is to be issued on Friday 19th July.

Update Friday 19th July:
Repairs to the bridge are being started and could take 4 to 5 days. A further update is to be issued on Monday 22nd July.

Update Monday 22nd July:
The repairs are now complete and the bridge has re-opened for navigation.


Leaches Swing Bridge, Riddleston, Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Johnsons Hillock locks closed

Boaters using the Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Wigan and Blackburn are being affected by a stoppage at Johnsons Hillock Locks.

A cill at Lock 60 has been damaged, making the lock inoperable. This is likely to have happened when a boat tried to enter or leave the lock when the water level was too low, causing damage to the wooden cill that abuts the gate so that it no longer makes a seal.

The Canal and River Trust will issue an update on Friday 19th July.

Boaters wishing to turn back rather than wait can wind below Johnsons Hillock Locks or at Riley Green.

Update Friday 17th July:
The repair is now complete and Johnsons Hillock Locks have re-opened for navigation.


Leeds and Liverpool Lock 60, Johnson's Hillock

Short stoppages on Huddersfield Narrow

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal will be closed between Locks 10e and 11e at Milnsbridge on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th July to enable remedial work to be carried out. This is because of a continuing leak from this short pound. The water level needs to be right down to allow concreting and pointing work to take place. Passage will not be possible during this work.

Boats may be winded below Lock 9e or above Lock 16e, which are also suitable places to moor while waiting for the work to be completed.

A similar stoppage is currently taking place (17th and 18th July) between Locks 28e and 29e between Slaithwaite and Marsden. This is to enable pointing work to be carried out to reduce leakage.


The pound between Locks 10e and 11e at Milnsbridge.