Experts from the Environment Agency have been investigating the pollution incident that closed the Rochdale Canal for several weeks.
They have now discovered that a large quantity of pesticide was poured down a road drain on the Oldham Broadway Business Park in Chadderton. The road drains flow into the canal at The Causeway. The EA's Steve Walters said "We believe somebody may have come along and dumped the herbicide down the drain undetected."
An estimated 15,000 fish were killed and a quantity of rare plant life destroyed. The fish included roach, perch and pike. The canal was closed to boat traffic between Manchester and Chadderton in order not to spread the effects of the pollution.
The investigation is still ongoing and the EA has urged anyone with any information about this to contact them on 0800 80 70 60.
Saturday, 23 August 2008
Monday, 18 August 2008
Short Stoppage at Bingley Locks
A short emergency stoppage is required at Bingley 5-Rise Locks to replace the heel post of a lock gate.
The locks will close at 5.00 pm on Monday 18th August and re-open at 12.00 noon on Wednesday 20th August.
For enquiries about this stoppage, contact British Waterways on 0113 2816860.
The locks will close at 5.00 pm on Monday 18th August and re-open at 12.00 noon on Wednesday 20th August.
For enquiries about this stoppage, contact British Waterways on 0113 2816860.
Rochdale Canal Now Re-opened Following Pollution Incident
The Rochdale Canal is to re-open after being closed between Failsworth and Ancoats following a serious water pollution incident at the end of July.
The canal between Locks 64 and 83 will re-open at 8.30 am on 19th August.
This section of canal was closed in order to restrict the effects of the pollution while investigations by the Environment Agency and British Waterways took place. It was necessary to wait for the results and analysis of testing to ensure that secondary pollution would not occur from the re-opening of the canal.
Although the test results indicated that secondary pollution is unlikely to occur, because of the sensitive nature of the canal as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation, British Waterways decided to conduct a trial re-introduction of boat traffic so that the effects could be monitored.
The "Rochdale Nine" locks through Manchester and the rest of the canal through Rochdale, Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Sowerby Bridge have not been affected.
For enquiries about this stoppage, contact British Waterways on 01942 405700.
The canal between Locks 64 and 83 will re-open at 8.30 am on 19th August.
This section of canal was closed in order to restrict the effects of the pollution while investigations by the Environment Agency and British Waterways took place. It was necessary to wait for the results and analysis of testing to ensure that secondary pollution would not occur from the re-opening of the canal.
Although the test results indicated that secondary pollution is unlikely to occur, because of the sensitive nature of the canal as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation, British Waterways decided to conduct a trial re-introduction of boat traffic so that the effects could be monitored.
The "Rochdale Nine" locks through Manchester and the rest of the canal through Rochdale, Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Sowerby Bridge have not been affected.
For enquiries about this stoppage, contact British Waterways on 01942 405700.
Friday, 18 July 2008
South Yorkshire closed at Holme Lock
There is currently a stoppage on the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation at Holme Lock, upstream of Rotherham.
The sluices have failed on the tail gates, requiring emergency repairs to be carried out to the sluices and lock gates. Passage will not be possible between Rotherham and Sheffield until the works have been completed.
At times, water levels may fluctuate up to 300mm down between Ickles Lock and Jordans Lock.
British Waterways will issue an update on Thursday 24th July.
For enquiries about this stoppage, contact British Waterways on 0113 281 6860.
The sluices have failed on the tail gates, requiring emergency repairs to be carried out to the sluices and lock gates. Passage will not be possible between Rotherham and Sheffield until the works have been completed.
At times, water levels may fluctuate up to 300mm down between Ickles Lock and Jordans Lock.
British Waterways will issue an update on Thursday 24th July.
For enquiries about this stoppage, contact British Waterways on 0113 281 6860.
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
Rochdale Canal Festivities Announced
A week of fun activities for young people beside the Rochdale Canal has been announced!
Oldham and Rochdale Councils have teamed up with British Waterways and The Waterways Trust to offer a week of free eco-fun packed activities for children and young people along the Rochdale Canal.
The week starts with a Fun Day at Ealees, behind Littleborough railway station on Saturday 19th July and ends with a Fun Day at Failsworth Basin near Tesco on Saturday 26th July.
The week includes bike rides, fishing lessons, kayak lessons, ghost walks, teddy bears picnics and treasure hunts.
A full list of all the events in both Oldham and Rochdale can be seen on this page.
Oldham and Rochdale Councils have teamed up with British Waterways and The Waterways Trust to offer a week of free eco-fun packed activities for children and young people along the Rochdale Canal.
The week starts with a Fun Day at Ealees, behind Littleborough railway station on Saturday 19th July and ends with a Fun Day at Failsworth Basin near Tesco on Saturday 26th July.
The week includes bike rides, fishing lessons, kayak lessons, ghost walks, teddy bears picnics and treasure hunts.
A full list of all the events in both Oldham and Rochdale can be seen on this page.
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Horrific Accident with Swing Bridge
A horrific accident has taken place at Buxton Lane Swing Bridge on the Ashton Canal.
A 15-year-old girl has had both legs amputated after becoming trapped between the bridge and the side of the canal. It has been reported that she had been dangling her legs either from the bridge or a concrete wall against which the bridge opened. Her friends pushed the bridge away to release her before the arrival of the emergency services.
The accident is being investigated by British Waterways, the Greater Manchester Police and the Health and Safety Executive.
The bridge is normally locked shut when not being used by a boat. It is not known at this stage whether a boater left the swing bridge unlocked or whether the children had acquired a key.
[Read BBC News report]
A 15-year-old girl has had both legs amputated after becoming trapped between the bridge and the side of the canal. It has been reported that she had been dangling her legs either from the bridge or a concrete wall against which the bridge opened. Her friends pushed the bridge away to release her before the arrival of the emergency services.
The accident is being investigated by British Waterways, the Greater Manchester Police and the Health and Safety Executive.
The bridge is normally locked shut when not being used by a boat. It is not known at this stage whether a boater left the swing bridge unlocked or whether the children had acquired a key.
[Read BBC News report]
Friday, 13 June 2008
Aldwarke Lock re-opens
Aldwarke Lock, on the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation between Rotherham and Swinton, has now been repaired and will re-open from 14th June.
The navigation has been closed since June 1st after the top gates were damaged and had to be removed for repair off site. [See earlier report]
The navigation has been closed since June 1st after the top gates were damaged and had to be removed for repair off site. [See earlier report]
Friday, 6 June 2008
Huddersfield Narrow closed
The Huddersfield Narrow Canal is currently closed because of a problem at Lock 13w in Mossley.
The lock has suffered damage to the tail gate cill and has been closed to through navigation between locks 14w & 8w.
British Waterways estimates that the repair work will be completed by Sunday 8th June.
For enquiries about this stoppage, contact British Waterways on 01942 405700.
Update: June 8th 2008
The lock cill has been repaired and the canal has now re-opened to navigation.
The lock has suffered damage to the tail gate cill and has been closed to through navigation between locks 14w & 8w.
British Waterways estimates that the repair work will be completed by Sunday 8th June.
For enquiries about this stoppage, contact British Waterways on 01942 405700.
Update: June 8th 2008
The lock cill has been repaired and the canal has now re-opened to navigation.
Monday, 2 June 2008
Sheffield & South Yorkshire closed
The Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation is currently closed because of a problem at Aldwarke Lock, between Rotherham and Swinton..
The top lock gates at Aldwarke have sustained damage and the lock is inoperable. For boaters' safety, the navigation has been closed between Eastwood and Kilnhurst.
An update will be issued on Wednesday 4th June.
Update: June 4th 2008
A top lock gate has been removed to be repaired off site, which will take about one week, after which it will need to be re-installed.
Update: June 4th 2008
The repairs are now complete and the navigation will re-open from June 14th.
For enquiries about this stoppage, contact British Waterways on 0113 281 6860.
The top lock gates at Aldwarke have sustained damage and the lock is inoperable. For boaters' safety, the navigation has been closed between Eastwood and Kilnhurst.
An update will be issued on Wednesday 4th June.
Update: June 4th 2008
A top lock gate has been removed to be repaired off site, which will take about one week, after which it will need to be re-installed.
Update: June 4th 2008
The repairs are now complete and the navigation will re-open from June 14th.
For enquiries about this stoppage, contact British Waterways on 0113 281 6860.
More Tree Trouble Blocks Canals
Two more canals have been blocked by fallen trees, weakened by the high winds of last week.
The towpath and navigation of the Peak Forest Canal has been closed by a tree that has fallen on the north side of Hyde Bank Tunnel (about a mile from Marple Locks).
A fallen tree is blocking the Rochdale Canal near Bridge 6 at Luddenden Foot, about 2 miles west of Sowerby Bridge. This blockage is expected to have been cleared later this afternoon.
For enquiries about these stoppages, contact British Waterways on 01942 405700.
The towpath and navigation of the Peak Forest Canal has been closed by a tree that has fallen on the north side of Hyde Bank Tunnel (about a mile from Marple Locks).
A fallen tree is blocking the Rochdale Canal near Bridge 6 at Luddenden Foot, about 2 miles west of Sowerby Bridge. This blockage is expected to have been cleared later this afternoon.
For enquiries about these stoppages, contact British Waterways on 01942 405700.
Tuesday, 27 May 2008
Rochdale Stoppage - now re-opened
There is an emergency stoppage at lock 49, Moss Upper Lock, on the Rochdale Canal.
This is due to the head gate paddle which requires replacement.
British Waterways will issue re-open notices as soon as the work has been completed.
Photo shows Moss Lower Lock, with Moss Upper Lock in the background.
Boats can be winded below Lock 50 or below Lock 48.
For enquiries about the stoppage, contact British Waterways on 01942 405700.
Update: May 27th 2008
The gate paddle has been replaced and the canal has now re-opened to navigation.
This is due to the head gate paddle which requires replacement.
British Waterways will issue re-open notices as soon as the work has been completed.
Photo shows Moss Lower Lock, with Moss Upper Lock in the background.
Boats can be winded below Lock 50 or below Lock 48.
For enquiries about the stoppage, contact British Waterways on 01942 405700.
Update: May 27th 2008
The gate paddle has been replaced and the canal has now re-opened to navigation.
Monday, 26 May 2008
Trees Block Leeds and Liverpool
Strong winds in the area have resulted in the Leeds and Liverpool Canal being blocked in two places near Adlington by fallen trees.
One fallen tree has blocked the towpath and navigation near Ridding Bridge (number 74).
A second tree has blocked the navigation 3 miles nearer Wigan, between bridges 64 and 65 (between Adlington and Red Rock).
British Waterways will issue re-open notices as soon as the blockages have been cleared.
For enquiries about the stoppage, contact British Waterways on 01942 405700.
Update: May 27th 2008
The tree near Riddings Bridge has been removed and the canal has now re-opened to navigation. The tree between bridges 64 and 65 is expected to be removed on Wed 28th May.
Update: May 29th 2008
The tree between bridges 64 and 65 has been removed and the canal has now re-opened to navigation.
One fallen tree has blocked the towpath and navigation near Ridding Bridge (number 74).
A second tree has blocked the navigation 3 miles nearer Wigan, between bridges 64 and 65 (between Adlington and Red Rock).
British Waterways will issue re-open notices as soon as the blockages have been cleared.
For enquiries about the stoppage, contact British Waterways on 01942 405700.
Update: May 27th 2008
The tree near Riddings Bridge has been removed and the canal has now re-opened to navigation. The tree between bridges 64 and 65 is expected to be removed on Wed 28th May.
Update: May 29th 2008
The tree between bridges 64 and 65 has been removed and the canal has now re-opened to navigation.
Saturday, 24 May 2008
New photos of work on Liverpool Canal Link
Work on the Liverpool Canal Link at Pier Head is nearing completion, along with a new channel through Trafalgar Dock. Work has started on a new channel from Canning Dock.
Five pages of new photographs have been added to Pennine Waterways, starting at:
http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/ll/liverpool-link15.htm
Here is one of the photos as a taster....
Five pages of new photographs have been added to Pennine Waterways, starting at:
http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/ll/liverpool-link15.htm
Here is one of the photos as a taster....
Friday, 23 May 2008
Limited Hours at Salterhebble Guillotine Lock
Passage through Salterhebble Guillotine Lock on the Calder and Hebble Navigation is now possible again, following last week's closure, but the lock is only open during restricted hours.
The Guillotine Lock will be operated by BW staff during the following hours only:
• 9.00 - 10.00 am
• 12.00 noon - 2.00 pm
• 4.00 - 6.00 pm
A further statement is expected on 30th May.
The gear box on top of the guillotine broke a week ago, rendering the lock inoperable.
This restriction will affect boaters on the South Pennine Ring, those crossing the Pennines via the Rochdale Canal and some hirers of boats from Shire Cruisers, based nearby at Sowerby Bridge.
For enquiries about the stoppage, contact British Waterways on 0113 281 6860
The Guillotine Lock will be operated by BW staff during the following hours only:
• 9.00 - 10.00 am
• 12.00 noon - 2.00 pm
• 4.00 - 6.00 pm
A further statement is expected on 30th May.
The gear box on top of the guillotine broke a week ago, rendering the lock inoperable.
This restriction will affect boaters on the South Pennine Ring, those crossing the Pennines via the Rochdale Canal and some hirers of boats from Shire Cruisers, based nearby at Sowerby Bridge.
For enquiries about the stoppage, contact British Waterways on 0113 281 6860
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