Burnley Reopening Delayed

The closure of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Finsley Gate in Burnley is to be extended until May.

The Canal and River Trust has announced that the canal will not re-open in Burnley until Wednesday 8th May.

The Trust says that, once the canal was dewatered, it was discovered the amount of silt along the affected area was far greater than expected. The silt was tested and found to be contaminated, which means special measures have to be taken to remove it and dispose of it safely, causing significant delays to the project.

It was also found that the retaining wall was in a much worse condition than originally thought. This, too, has resulted in additional works.

CRT says that their contractors are doing everything they can to complete this project as soon as possible but will not be in a position to re-open the navigation until 8th May 2019. The Trust sincerely apologises for the inconvenience this may cause.

The stoppage at Finsley Gate was to enable canal relining works, work to the towpath retaining wall and offside soft bank protection.

Finsley Gate on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Burnley.