Leeds and Liverpool lock restrictions lifted

The restricted opening times of lock flights on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Wigan and Gargrave are being lifted from Friday 21st December. The Canal and River Trust has announced that reservoir levels have improved.

However, to help ensure that water remains available around Wigan, some overnight closures will be in place. Locks 88 (Pagefield) and 89 (Ell Meadow) will be opened at 8.00 am and locked at 3.00 pm daily. These locks will be padlocked outside of those hours.

Update 21st December:
Following a severe act of vandalism at Blackburn Top Lock, the Blackburn lock flight (52 - 57) will be opened at 10.00 am and locked at 3.00 pm daily with last entry onto the flight at 2.00 pm. Blackburn lock flight will be padlocked outside of those hours.

Ell Meadow Lock, Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Leeds and Liverpool lock flights to close again

The Canal and River Trust has announced that the lock flights on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal will be closed again from 26th November because of 'below average rainfall'.

The lock flights affected are from Wigan (Lock 85) to Holme Lock, Gargrave (Lock 30). These closures are necessary because of the limited water resources currently available and to reduce the risk of the reservoirs not refilling in time for the start of the main boating season next year.

However, CRT intends to offer 'windows of opportunity' for boats to move, with the locks being open for navigation each Saturday. Opening times are yet to be announced. Please re-visit this page for updates. If there is sufficient demand CRT will consider additional days.

These restrictions are expected to last until at least the New Year.

Boaters should be aware that the canal is now closed to navigation at Finsley Gate in Burnley until March.

Update 20th November:
The lock flights between Gargrave and Wigan will be open for navigation only at the following times:

Gargrave flight (Lock 30 Holme Bridge to Lock 35 Stegneck Lock) - Saturdays 9.00 am to 3.00 pm, last entry to flight 2.00 pm

Bank Newton flight (Lock 36 to Lock 41) - Saturdays Saturdays 9.00 am to 3.00 pm, last entry to flight 2.00 pm

Greenberfield flight (Lock 42 to Lock 44) - Saturdays Saturdays 9.00 am to 3.00 pm, last entry to flight 2.00 pm

Barrowford flight (Lock 45 to Lock 51) - Saturdays Saturdays 9.00 am to 3.00 pm, last entry to flight 2.00 pm

Blackburn flight - no restrictions

Johnson's Hillock flight - no restrictions

Wigan flight - Thursdays 8.30 am to 3.00 pm, last entry to flight 10.00 am

No booking is required, but boaters are asked to check all gates and paddles are closed after use and to share locks where possible.

Assistance on the Wigan flight is available to single handed boaters or crews of two people where one cannot assist with lock work for health reasons. This can be booked by calling 03030 404040 and asking to speak with the North-West office. This service available on Thursdays subject to availability.

The canal remains closed to navigation at Burnley until March.

Lock 73 on the Wigan flight

Wigan Locks to re-open

Wigan lock flight (Locks 65 to 85) on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal will be open to navigation again from Tuesday 23rd October.

The lock flight was closed in July, along with many of the other lock flights on the canal, because of the seriously low water levels in the reservoirs following a prolonged dry spell. The other lock flights were re-opened by the end of September. However the Canal and River Trust had taken the opportunity to move forward some of the maintenance work scheduled for the coming winter. As the reservoir levels had improved faster than expected, the repairs on the Wigan flight had not yet been completed. Work will be carried out over the weekend to speed up the re-opening and repairs are expected to be completed by 4.00 pm on Monday 22nd October ready for boat passages to start again the following morning.

Bringing the repairs forward means that Wigan lock flight will not be closed for repairs over the winter months. However, boaters should note that the canal will be closed at Burnley from 12th November until March.

Wigan Top Lock, Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Leeds and Liverpool Canal to re-open except Wigan flight

The lock flights on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Gargrave and Johnson's Hillock are to re-open on 29th September. Reservoir levels have improved following recent periods of rain, allowing the locks to be opened on a restricted basis.

The following lock flight will be open between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm each day. Last entry to each flight will be at:
• Gargrave Locks - 3.00 pm
• Bank Newton Locks - 3.00 pm
• Greenberfield Locks - 3.00 pm
• Barrowford Locks - 2.30 pm
Boaters arriving at the locks after that time will need to wait until the next morning.
There will be no time restrictions on Blackburn or Johnson's Hillock lock flights.

Wigan Lock flight will remain closed as repairs to Locks 73, 81 and 85 are still under way. The completion date for these stoppage works is Monday 22nd October, which was the date by which it had been expected that water levels would recover. In the event, reservoir levels have recovered faster than anticipated following recent storms. However, the completion of these works means that the Wigan flight should be open for navigation throughout the winter period.

From 12th November the canal will be closed for work at Finsley Gate in Burnley (until March) and at Poolstock Locks and Plank Lane on the Leigh Branch (until December). There will also be a stoppage on the Rufford Branch (until December).

Lock 56 in Blackburn

Bosley Locks to re-open

The Bosley flight on the Macclesfield Canal is to re-open on 6th October. Reservoir levels have improved following recent periods of rain, allowing the locks to be opened on a restricted basis.

Bosley Locks will be open at 8.00 am each day, with last entry onto the flight being at 1.00 pm. Boaters arriving at the locks after that time will need to wait until the next morning. These restrictions will be reviewed after the first week.

Bosley Locks will then close again on 5th November to allow work on Locks 8 and 12 to be completed.

Marple Locks on the Peak Forest Canal will remain closed until repairs at Lock 11 have been completed.

Lock 2 at Bosley

Leeds and Liverpool to remain closed between Wigan and Gargrave

The Canal and River Trust has announced that the lock flights between Lock 85 (Wigan) and Lock 30 (Holme) on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal are to remain closed until at least the end of October, possibly later if there is no significant and prolonged rainfall over the coming weeks.

The canal's reservoir holdings are still extremely low. At least 5 weeks of prolonged rainfall would be required before the locks can be re-opened for navigation.

The lock flights at Wigan (locks 65 to 85), Johnsons Hillocks (58 to 64), Blackburn Flight (locks 52 to 57), Barrowford Locks (45 to 51), Greenberfield Locks (42 to 44), Bank Newton Locks (36 to 41) and Gargrave (locks 35 to 30) are padlocked closed and the gates have been ashed up to reduce leakage. To prevent unauthorised use, measures have been taken to make the locks inoperable.

Whilst the canal has been closed CRT has been taking advantage of the closure to carry out work to remedy issues on the locks, including paddle repairs, vegetation clearance, pointing works, and leakage repairs on the gates. CRT is bringing forward the winter works planned for Locks 43, 73, 81 and 85, with this work taking place during September while the lock flight remains closed.

An update will be issued at the end of September.

Holme Bridge Lock (30), near Gargrave

East side of Leeds and Liverpool to close

Following the worsening situation with falling reservoir levels, the locks on the east side of the Leeds and Liverpool are to be closed from Friday 17th August.

The navigation closure affects all locks between Skipton and Leeds. The main lock flights, i.e. Bingley Five Rise, Bingley Three Rise, Field Locks, Newlay Locks and Forge Locks will be padlocked closed, with the gates ashed to prevent leakage.

The Canal and River Trust says that "measures will be taken to make all locks inoperable" to prevent unauthorised use (e.g. by someone breaking the padlocks).

The Canal and River Trust says that it is not known how long the closure will last for but that it’s likely to be throughout August and potentially beyond if there is no significant, sustained rainfall. The towpath will remain open.

Update - 29th August:
The Canal and River Trust is to re-open the Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Newlay Top Lock and Holme Lock, below Garsgrave at 10.00 am on Friday 31st August.
This means boats will then be able to navigate between Skipton, Bingley, Shipley and Apperley Bridge.
Passage through Bingley Five and Three Rise lock flights will be down between 10.00 am and 12.00 noon and up between 1.00 and 3.00 pm.





The locks will remain closed between Leeds and Newlay and between Garsgrave and Wigan.

Update - 4th September:
The locks between Leeds and Newlay will re-open on Wednesday 5th September.
Passage through Newlay, Forge and Kirkstall locks will be down between 10.00 am and 12.00 noon and up between 1.00 and 3.00 pm.

Restrictions on Peak Forest and Macclesfield Canals

The continuing dry and warm weather will result in restrictions and lock closures on the Peak Forest and Macclesfield Canals.

Marple Locks are closed again because of continuing movement at Lock 11 and will remain closed now until the lock walls can be rebuilt.

Access to Bugsworth Basin will be closed from Monday 13th August.

Passage through Bosley Locks is being restricted to between 8.00 am and 2.00 pm from today.

Bosley Locks will be closed completely from Monday 13th August.

The Canal and River Trust says that it has reluctantly taken these decisions due to the low levels of the reservoirs because of prolonged low rainfall and with the forecast for further dry weather.

The Canal and River Trust says that it is not known how long these closures will last for but that it's likely to be until the end of August and potentially beyond if there is no significant, sustained rainfall. The towpath will remain open.

These restrictions follow a difficult time for boaters on these canals with long stoppages on the Marple flight, a recent stoppage because of a leak at Bollington and several stoppages at Bosley Locks. Some boaters may have difficulty returning to their home moorings before the closure at Bosley.

Lock 2 at Bosley

Water shortage to shut Rochdale and Huddersfield Canals

The continuing dry and warm weather will result in the closure of large parts of the Rochdale and Huddersfield Narrow Canals from Monday 6th August.

The sections of canal to be closed with locks padlocked are -

Huddersfield Narrow Canal:
Lock 1e (Huddersfield) to Lock 24w (Wool Road).

Rochdale Canal:
Lock 1 (Sowerby Bridge) to Lock 48 (Littleborough).

The section of the Rochdale Canal from Hebden Bridge to Todmorden (between Locks 6 and 19) will remain open but with navigation restricted to between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm under a local booking system.

Although the canal will remain open between Manchester and Littleborough it is unlikely that many boaters would decide to travel beyond New Islington Marina.

The Rochdale Nine lock flight in Manchester will remain open, linking the Ashton and Bridgewater Canals.

On the closed sections, the canal and River Trust says that "measures will be taken to make the locks inoperable" to prevent unauthorised use (e.g. by someone breaking the padlocks).

These closures will come into effect a week after the closure of the central section of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal from 30th July, meaning that all three trans-Pennine routes will be closed.

The Canal and River Trust says that it has reluctantly taken this decision due to the low levels of the reservoirs because of prolonged low rainfall and with the forecast for further dry weather.

The Canal and River Trust says that it is not known how long these closures will last for but that it's likely to be throughout August and potentially beyond if there is no significant, sustained rainfall. The towpath will remain open.

Update 27th July:
Because of the serious shortfall in water supply, the closures on the Rochdale Canal are brought forward and go into immediate effect.

This involves the closure of all locks between Sowerby Bridge (Lock 1) and Littleborough (Lock 48). This includes the section between Locks 7 and 19, which it had been hoped to keep open on restricted opening times. The Canal and River Trust will liaise with boaters on this section so that  they can access vital services when possible, offering restricted, controlled passage.  Other than this all locks will be secured and out of use.

Update 29th August:
The Canal and River Trust is to re-open the Rochdale Canal between Lock 1 (Sowerby Bridge) and Lock 34 (Warland) on Friday 31st August.
Locks 5 to 13 through Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge will be closed overnight from 4.00 pm until 9.00 am.
The canal remains closed for now between Locks 34 and 48 (Littleborough) while repairs to reduce water leakage through the locks are continued.
The canal remains open between Littleborough and Manchester.
Predictions of below-average rainfall for September mean that it may be necessary to close parts of the canal temporarily if water levels are too low.

Update 30th August:
The Canal and River Trust will re-open the Huddersfield Narrow Canal between Locks 24w and 1e on a trial basis but only for boats needing to pass through Standedge Tunnel.
The first tunnel passages will be on Wednesday 5th September.
- Boats booked to pass westwards through Standedge Tunnel on 5th September will be admitted through Lock 1e in Huddersfield on Monday 3rd September, before 12.00 noon. No other boats will be allowed to enter the canal.
- Boats booked to pass eastwards through Standedge Tunnel on Wednesday 5th September will be admitted through Lock 24w on the morning of 5th September.
Following this trial an update will be issued on Friday 7th September, with the hope of repeating these restricted passages on following weeks if available water supplies allow.
The canal remains open from Lock 1w (Ashton) to below Lock 24w (Dobcross).

Update 7th September:
The summit of the Rochdale Canal will re-open to navigation on a restricted basis from Saturday 15th September. The section between Locks 34 and 44 will be closed on Mondays and Fridays as well as being locked overnight. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays the section between Locks 34 and 44 will be open between 9.00 am and 4.00 pm.

 Update 7th September:
The arrangement for boats booked to pass through Standedge Tunnel will be repeated next week, with tunnel passage on Wednesday 12th September.
- Boats booked to pass westwards through Standedge Tunnel on 12th September will be admitted through Lock 1e in Huddersfield on Monday 10th September, before 12.00 noon. No other boats will be allowed to enter the canal.
- Boats booked to pass eastwards through Standedge Tunnel on Wednesday 12th September will be admitted through Lock 24w on the morning of 12th September.

 Update 13th September:
The arrangement for boats booked to pass through Standedge Tunnel will be repeated next week, with tunnel passage on Wednesday 19th September.
- Boats booked to pass westwards through Standedge Tunnel on 19th September will be admitted through Lock 1e in Huddersfield on Monday 17th September, before 12.00 noon. No other boats will be allowed to enter the canal.
- Boats booked to pass eastwards through Standedge Tunnel on Wednesday 19th September will be admitted through Lock 24w on the morning of 19th September.

 Update 27th September:
Restrictions on the summit section of the Rochdale Canal have now been lifted. Recent rainfall has meant  the reservoir levels have improved but it may be necessary to restrict access at short notice if levels fall again. Overnight closures remain in place from Lock 5 to 13 in the Hebden Briddge area, with locks being open between 9.00 am and 4.00 pm.

Looking towards the summit of the Rochdale Canal from Lock 38.

Leeds and Liverpool to close from Wigan to Gargrave

From next Monday (30th July) locks on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal will be closed between Wigan and Gargrave because of diminishing water resources.

The closure affects lock flights between Lock 30 (Holme Bridge Lock, Gargrave) and Lock 85 (bottom of Wigan 21).

The Canal and River Trust says that the lock flights at Wigan, Johnson's Hillock, Blackburn, Barrowford, Greenberfield, Bank Newton and Gargrave will be closed. They say that "measures will be taken to make the locks inoperable" to prevent unauthorised use (e.g. by someone breaking the padlocks).

Although this section of the canal is closed, there will be nothing to prevent boats moving along a pound as long as there is sufficient depth, although boaters risk becoming stranded.

The Canal and River Trust says that it is not known how long the closure will last for but that it’s likely to be throughout August and potentially beyond if there is no significant, sustained rainfall. The towpath will remain open.

Update 27th July:

The last passage for all affected flights will be 3.00 pm on Monday 30 July, with the exception of Barrowford, where the last passage will be at 2:30 pm and the Wigan Flight, where the last entry onto the flight will be between 8:30 and 9:30 am.

Holme Bridge Lock (30), near Gargrave

Water shortage leads to restrictions on Leeds and Liverpool

Lack of rainfall over a period of weeks is leading to a shortage of water on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. This has now resulted in restricted opening hours at several lock flights.

On the Wigan flight, the top and bottom locks (65 and 85) will be padlocked shut except for the following times:
• 8:30 am to 9:30 am to allow entry onto the flight
• 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm to allow exit from the flight

Overnight mooring on the flight is only allowed at Rose Bridge, between Locks 77 and 78.

Assistance for single handed boaters is available on Thursday mornings at 8:30 am. Contact the Wigan Lock keepers on 01942 405774.

Restrictions are already in place between Gargrave and Barrowford, where locks are only open to navigation from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm daily at :
• Barrowford Locks (45 to 51). Last passage at 4:30 pm.
• Greenberfield Locks (42 to 44). Last passage at 5.00 pm.
• Bank Newton Locks (36 to 41). Last passage at 5.00 pm.
• Gargrave (Holme Bridge Lock 30). Last passage at 5.00 pm.
These lock flights will be padlocked at 6.00 pm. Boaters should make sure they enter the lock flight with sufficient time to get through, noting the last passage start times. Moorings are available at the top and bottom of these flights.

Update - 12th July:
The above lock flights are to be CLOSED to navigation from Monday 30th July. This closure is likely to last through August. Entry locks will be made inoperable during this time.

Wigan Top Lock, Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Marple Locks shut for another week

Marple Locks on the Peak Forest Canal will remain closed for a further week.

During the week from 25th to 29th June, CRT have been jacking stones outwards at Lock 11 of the Marple lock flight, where movement had caused to lock to become too narrow.

A large number of the stones have been successfully moved and are now at 6ft 11in, the minimum required to allow 6’10’’ boats to pass through the lock.

However, some stones have not moved back enough to allow sufficient clearance, so it has been decided that some masonry should be planed to achieve the require width within the lock.

This will be carried out next week, starting 2nd July. The stoppage will be reassessed at the end of next week.

Update - 6th July
Message from CRT: "The works to jack back the chamber wall at Marple Lock 11 have been completed.  Unfortunately our monitoring has shown that the chamber wall moved (very slightly) overnight, so we want to continue monitoring over the weekend and into next week to ensure that it is safe, before we can re-open the lock to navigation (restricted to 6’10”)."

Update - 11th July
Lock 11 has been deemed safe to operate for boats up to 6’10” wide under assisted passage from 12th July. There will be assisted passage through this lock between 9.00 and 10.00 am on Thursday 12th July, then only between 3.00 and 4.00 pm each day.

Update - 23rd July
Further movement of the lock walls of Lock 11 have taken place and the lock flight has now been CLOSED until the lock walls can be rebuilt, which is likely to take a number of months. The locks would have had to be closed from August 13th anyway due to water shortage.

Leeds and Liverpool Breach at Melling

The Leeds and Liverpool is closed at Melling after a culvert breached on Tuesday evening. This part of the canal is between Maghull and Aintree on the approach to Liverpool.

Nearby residents noticed the canal level dropping, with water disappearing into a hole near the side of the channel. Nearby fields are reported to have become flooded. Emergency services have dropped 650 sandbags into the canal in a bid to stem the flow although, as this is part of a 28 mile pound, a lot of water will escape until stop planks have been put in place.

There are reports of boats sitting on the canal bed. The extent of the damage to the culvert is not known at this time, nor how long it will be before this section of canal is navigable again.

Boaters with Liverpool Canal Link bookings will be contacted by CRT and kept updated. If you have a Liverpool Canal Link booking and need advice, please contact CRT on 03030 404040.

Update - 15th June:
CRT has obtained permission to access the canal across neighbouring land and are in the process of laying a track to get the necessary machinery to site. This should take one week to install. Dams will then be installed on either side of the collapsed culvert so that the damage can be assessed, and  the necessary repairs planned and started.

When CRT has established the severity of the damage, they will be able to estimate a timescale for the work. CRT's initial assessment is that the area will be closed for at least six weeks, although the situation is not thought to be as severe as Middlewich.

Update - 20th June:
CRT hopes to install the dams next Monday and Thursday. The Environment Agency has given permission to extract water from the River Alt, so CRT can start refilling the canal between Aintree and Liverpool, which may take some time. With the dams in place, work can begin on repairing the culvert.

Update - 28th June:
Next week, CRT will start to dig out the damaged culvert. It is hoped that the culvert can be replaced and the canal re-watered by the 3rd week in August.

Update - 1st August:
CRT today confirmed that the work on reconstructing the culvert is progressing in spite of minor problems and the canal is expected to re-open to navigation on 24th August.

Update - 24th August:
CRT today announced that the canal and towpath have re-opened.

Water escaping into a hole into the culvert on Tuesday evening. You can see from the reeds how much the water level had dropped by this time. Image: Lesley Lewis

Update - 13th June:
A dam has been created from sand bags at Bridge 10. This is the view downstream of Bridge 10 on Wednesday morning.

Canal near Bridge 10, Melling. Image: Les Nolan.

Marple Lock 11 re-opens with strict limitations

The Marple Lock flight on the Peak Forest Canal has re-opened again but with strict limitations on the size of boats allowed through, and with very restricted passage times.

As a short-term measure, the Canal and River Trust has moved back the coping stones that had been causing pinch points. They are now looking at whether they can jack some of the stones back further down the chamber wall to create enough width for boats up to 6ft 10in wide to pass through safely.

Passage through Lock 11 will be supervised and will only be available between 9.00 and 10.00 am and between 3.00 and 4.00 pm.

There will be no width restriction for boats up to 45ft in length, but boats over 45ft must have a beam of 6ft 9in or less to be able to navigate through the lock.

If the jacking proposal mentioned above can be implemented this should make the lock navigable for longer boats over 6ft 9in wide but there is no date yet as to when this might be attempted, although CRT hopes to do so as soon as possible. This will not be satisfactory long-term solution so CRT staff are also undertaking further analysis and design to enable a more permanent repair to be developed.

Update - 15th June:
Boats over 45 ft long have still been getting stuck, even though they are only 6ft 9in beam. Therefore passage through Marple Locks is now restricted to boats up to 45 ft length ONLY.

The locks will be closed completely from 25th to 29th June while CRT carry out a temporary repair to Lock 11.

CRT says the aim of this temporary repair is to enable unrestricted passage through the summer whilst they prepare for a permanent solution to be delivered in the winter stoppage season. However, there is a risk that this temporary repair will not be successful, in which case the lock will remain closed until they are able to complete the permanent repair.

Lock 11 at Marple

Marple Locks Closed Again

After been open for just over a week and following an 8-month stoppage, the Marple Lock flight on the Peak Forest Canal has been closed again.

As soon as the lock flight re-opened on 25th May, after a re-build of Lock 15, it became apparent that there was a new problem with Lock 11. Passage through the lock was restricted to times when CRT staff could assist boats through and a 6ft 10in maximum boat width imposed, but a number of boats were nevertheless still getting stuck.

CRT has reluctantly taken the decision to close the lock after more extensive problems were found than had been anticipated.

CRT engineers and project managers have been assessing things today (Monday) and work is ongoing to realign some of the copings by jacking them outwards. CRT will review the situation when this has been completed and decide whether or not to reopen the lock or if a more extensive repair is going to be needed.

CRT have said: "We know that this will be disappointing for people especially with the wait for the other work that that has happened at Marple. We believe that this is a new issue on the flight, not something longstanding. We want to assure everyone that we are doing everything that we can to reopen the lock as quickly as possible."

A further update is expected mid week.

Lock 11 at Marple

Width Restriction at Marple Locks

CRT has imposed a new width restriction at Marple Locks on the Peak Forest Canal after a boat jammed in a lock. Boats over 6ft 10 in will not be allowed to pass through the lock flight.

The day after Marple Locks re-opened after an eight month stoppage to re-build Lock 15, a boat became stuck in Lock 11. There are fears that there has been some movement of the lock structure causing the lock chamber to narrow, as had happened at Lock 15.

At the moment passage for boats not exceeding 6ft 10in is safe but passage through the lock is being supervised by CRT staff. Therefore the locks are only open for passage between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm.

It would appear that the coping Stones on Lock 11 are moving inwards, creating a pinch point. Engineers will be assessing the lock to check for any ongoing movement and whether it is possible to carry out minor repairs, such as jacking the coping stones out, or whether major work is required as at Lock 15. Vehicle access to Lock 11 would be much more difficult than at Lock 15.

Most narrowboats will be unaffected by the width restriction but it will mean that many heritage boats will not be able to use this route.

Update 30th May:
Because of continuing difficulties with Lock 11, CRT will be carrying out emergency work on the lock tomorrow (Thursday 31st May). Passage through Lock 11 will only be possible between 11.00 am and 1.30 pm on this day. The previous hours of operation (10.00am to 4.00pm) will resume on Friday 1st June.

Update 4th June:
In view of continuing problems with Lock 11, Marple Locks have been closed again. Follow this link for more information.

Lock 11 at Marple

Marple Locks Re-opened

The Marple flight of locks on the Peak Forest Canal has re-opened this evening after an eight month stoppage.

Subsidence had caused the lock sides to start to come in, making the lock potentially dangerous, and which would have eventually led to a collapse. The rebuilding work has been plagued by several unexpected problems with the planned re-opening date having been put back several times.

In order to re-open the locks to navigation at the first opportunity there is still some work ongoing around the lock so boaters should take care, observing warning notices and staying within the areas publicly accessible.

During working hours there may be machinery operating near the lock and boats may be asked to wait for short periods.

This will be welcome news for many boaters as the stoppage has disrupted many people's journey plans and has especially affected people wishing to navigate the Cheshire Ring.

Marple to re-open while work continues

The Canal and River Trust has announced its intention of re-opening Marple Locks on the Peak Forest Canal even before the work on Lock 15 is complete.

The lock flight has been closed for 8 months and has caused difficulties for hire companies and local boaters, so CRT is keen to re-open the locks to navigation as quickly as possible.

All masonry work should be completed this week and next week the lock gates will be installed and scaffolding and temporary dams removed so that boats can pass through from 5.00 pm on Friday 25th May.

However there will remain work to be completed, such as re-laying the gate quadrants and landscaping work, so boaters are asked to follow instructions from the site team while work is taking place.

A recent view of the work at Lock 15.

Marple Locks Re-opening Delayed Further

A set-back to the work to re-build Lock 15 at Marple has led to the re-opening date being put back once again. The lock flight is now expected to re-open on May 25th.

The lock flight on the Peak Forest Canal has been closed since September due to serious subsidence at Lock 15, resulting in a narrowing of the lock chamber. As one side of the lock chamber was taken down to be reconstructed a series of unexpected problems arose.

The original completion date in March had to be put back when it was founds that stonework removed from the chamber wall was splitting and crumbling so that new stones had to be quarried.

It has now been discovered that the brick foundations of the chamber wall were in poor condition so that it would not be possible to construct the masonry wall on top. The brickwork had to be taken down to the invert to get a firm foundation.

The expected opening date of May 4th is no longer achievable and a revised schedule should see the navigation reopening on 25th May.

Thanks to Peter Stockdale for the following photographs.

Lock 15 as work starts on the re-building of the nearside chamber wall. Photo: Peter Stockdale

Newly-quarried stone arrives for the new chamber wall. Photo: Peter Stockdale

Photo: Peter Stockdale

Do-it yourself approach to Liverpool Canal Link

From Monday 16th April boaters visiting Liverpool will be able to "do it themselves". Improvements have been made to swing bridges and locks to allow self-operation by boaters.
• Bridge 9 at Wango Lane (Handcocks Bridge) is now boater-operated using a new push-button console. However, boaters should note that, because it is a busy road, it cannot be used during rush hours. The bridge will not operate between 7.30 and 9.30 am or between 2.00 and 6.00 pm.
• Bridge 6 at St Oswald's Lane (Netherton Bridge) is now boater-operated and has new landing stages to make this easier.
• Stanley Locks Branch is now boater operated, following improvements to paddles and the installation of a pontoon landing below the bottom lock.
• Princes Dock now has a pontoon landing making easier access to the lock for boater operation.

Liverpool Canal Link times of operation:
The Liverpool Canal Link between Salthouse Dock and the top of the Stanley Dock Branch will be available for operation:
• From the top of Stanley Dock Branch, heading into Liverpool, 1.00 to 4.00 pm (except Tuesdays).
• From Salthouse Dock, heading out of Liverpool, 8.00 to 9.30 am (except Tuesdays).

Booking is still required for the link and for a mooring in Salthouse Dock.
Booking your passages in and out of the Liverpool Canal Link and your mooring in Salthouse Dock can be made online by logging into your CRT account. (You will be charged an administration fee if you do not turn up and have not cancelled your booking.)

Information about the Liverpool Link, along with downloadable skipper's guides and other useful guidance, can be found here.

Marple Locks to re-open in May?

Boaters will be disappointed to learn that Marple Locks are unlikely to re-open before May.

A new target has been announced, with CRT hoping to re-open the lock flight in time for May Day Bank Holiday on 4th May.

The lock flight on the Peak Forest Canal has been closed since September due to serious subsidence at Lock 15, resulting in a narrowing of the lock chamber. As work to repair the lock proceeded more problems have emerged.

CRT had hoped to re-open the locks by late March but they discovered while dismantling stonework from the lock chamber wall, some of the stones have started splitting and crumbling and will not be able to be reused as expected. CRT have managed to source new replacement stone from a local quarry, but the need to have new stones cut to size has added a further delay to reopening the lock.

Work at Lock 15, Marple. Photo: Ian McCarthy

CRT have taken advantage of the enforced closure to carry out other work on the flight, with new lock gates being fitted at Locks 1 and 13, a total of 10 locks having been grouted, large wash wall repairs between Locks 8 and 9, Lock quadrant walls rebuilt and Lock slope towpaths upgraded. CRT volunteers have also been removing vegetation, installing new paddle gearing to the locks and fixing parts of the towpath where it is in bad condition.

Date given for Marple re-opening

The Canal and River Trust has announced that it aims to re-open Marple Locks by 29th March.

The lock flight on the Peak Forest Canal has been closed since September due to serious subsidence at Lock 15, resulting in a narrowing of the lock chamber. There was movement of the lock wall, with a risk of collapse.

The work is complex, with the need to dig boreholes to assess the nature of the work needed. The job has been further complicated by the confined space in which to carry out the work and the need to follow procedures for working on a Heritage Grade II Listed structure.

The confined space in which work at Lock 15 is being carried out. Photo: Ian McCarthy

The lock gates have been removed and the chamber filled with stone to stabilise the wall while the ground behind is excavated. A retaining wall will be constructed and the lock wall rebuilt. The retaining wall will eventually be out of sight within the structure.

The anticipated re-opening date of 29th March is later than originally hoped, but in time for the Easter weekend. (See update below.)

With fabric to protect the stones, the lock chamber has been filled with stone to stabilise the wall.Photo: Ian McCarthy.

While the Marple locks are closed, CRT is taking the opportunity to carry out a number of other repairs to the locks and bank, and the controversial safety work at Marple Aqueduct.

Update 1st March:
CRT will not now be able to meet their anticipated opening date of 29th March, but now hope to re-open the lock flight in time for May Day Bank Holiday on 4th May.


Thanks to Ian McCarthy for the photographs and additional information.

Barton Aqueduct Maintenance Dates Confirmed

The Bridgewater Canal Company has now confirmed the dates when Barton Aqueduct will be closed for its annual maintenance.

The structure will be closed for navigation along the Bridgewater Canal from Monday 5th March for two weeks. It will re-open on Monday 19th March.

The Bridgewater Canal Company say that work is expected to be completed within the specified time. However, due to the nature of the work they cannot guarantee completion on the published date.

This stoppage affects the Leigh Branch of the Bridgewater Canal.