Wall collapse closes canal in Burnley

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal has been closed in Burnley following the collapse of a retaining wall.

The offside wall has partially collapsed into the canal near Sandygate, in the "Weavers Triangle" area, following heavy rain saturating the ground. This section of canal has been drained by the Canal and River Trust to enable remedial work to take place. The towpath is also closed at this point.

This section of canal is expected to be closed to navigation for around four weeks.


Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Sandygate, Burnley. Photo: Burnley Express

Barton Swing Aqueduct stoppage brought forward

The Bridgewater Canal Company has announced that the annual maintenance closure of Barton Swing Aqueduct is to be brought forward to co-incide with a stoppage at nearby Monton.

The annual maintenance work, normally carried out around the middle two weeks of March, will take place between 17th February and 1st March 2014.

The canal will also be closed between Worsley and Monton on the Leigh Branch from 17th February and 3rd March to allow piling work to take place on the off-side bank at Monton.


Barton Swing Aqueduct

Tony Robinson on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Television presenter and actor Tony Robinson starts a new series of "Walking Through History" this coming weekend with a walk along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Liverpool and Wigan.

The programme is being broadcast at 8.00 pm on Saturday 8th February on Channel 4.

The programme looks at the few traces of the canal's original terminus in Liverpool and ends up at Wigan Pier, looking at some of the politics and problems behind the canal's construction.

Tony also takes time out to visit Bingley to see a horse-drawn boat in operation.


Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Wigan Pier