Leeds and Liverpool Re-opens at Rishton

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal has now re-opened to navigation at Rishton, between Blackburn and Burnley. The canal has been closed at this location since 12th September after a section of towpath collapsed and it was realised that the canal was in danger of breaching.

The towpath remains closed for a little longer, probably until Friday 29th November.

The repair work has included stabilisation of the embankment, relining the canal bed and reconstruction of the towpath and wash wall. The work has cost around £300,000.


Location of the re-opened canal at Rishton

Open Day at Wigan Lock

Wigan Pier may be closed but you can still have a day out by the canal in Wigan this weekend at the Canal and River Trust's Open Day.

There will be guided tours around Leeds and Liverpool Canal Lock 87, which is undergoing renovations, as well as the adjoining dry dock and a CRT work boat.

The Open Days are Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th November between 10.00 am and 2.30 pm. Tours start from the Canal and River Trust office at nearby Waterside Drive, where there is free parking. Postcoder for SatNav is WN3 5AZ.

Education and environment teams will be on site displaying some of the activities they take into schools and to events. The Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society will have a stand with some historic information and there will also be some angling taster sessions running nearby.

Tours will include a look at one of CRT's work boats on the moorings outside the office before moving onto the Wigan Dry Dock where North West staff will be on hand to provide information. The tour will take guests over a bridge constructed across lock 87 so that they can view the de-watered lock and hear about what works we are being carried out at the site.

The café at the Wigan Investment Centre will also be open for those who want to finish the tour with a hot drink.


Lock 87 and Dry Dock in Wigan


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