Tinsley Locks to re-open

Tinsley Locks on the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation are to re-open after a month-long closure.

British Waterways has announced that water levels are now sufficient for some managed use of the locks to resume. Boats that have been waiting to pass through the locks will be assisted through by BW staff over the weekend.

Water levels will be checked again on Monday and, if levels are sufficient, normal passage will then resume.

The stoppage began a month ago, with a problem with the pumping system that feeds the summit level from the river, and a loss of water from the summit level between Tinsley and Sheffield. As a result, Tinsley Locks were closed on 24th September.

There had been a series of delays while BW had difficulty sourcing the parts to repair the pump. Then, apparently, the wrong parts were delivered, causing a further delay.

Then a culvert was found to have collapsed, reducing the flow into the Sheffield level. BW hopes that the problems have now finally been fixed!


Tinsley Locks

Fire Shuts Rochdale Canal at Miles Platting

Part of a mill wall has collapsed onto the Rochdale Canal between Locks 76 and 77, in Miles Platting, following a fire.

This has resulted in an emergency stoppage to both the navigation and towpath. BW will not be able to assess the extent of the damage until the fire is fully extinguished.

This is on the stretch of 19 locks along which passage must be pre-booked, so the canal will be closed between Locks 65 and 83. Boaters wishing to use the canal should moor at the Irk Aqueduct or Ducie Street until the canal is re-opened.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 01942 405700.

This stoppage causes a potential problem to boaters wishing to cross the Pennines, as the Huddersfield Narrow Canal is closed between Stalithwaite and Huddersfield.

Update 19th Oct:
The navigation has re-opened but the towpath remains closed between Locks 76 and 77.

BW will issue a further update on Monday 26th October.


Between Locks 76 and 77, Rochdale Canal

Stoppage at Lemonroyd

Lemonroyd Lock on the Aire and Calder Navigation between Leeds and Castleford is currently closed after a cill failed.

British Waterways has urged boaters not to proceed beyond Woodnock Lock or Casteford as mooring above and below Lemonroyd is limited.

In addition, rcent heavy rainfall may result in the river level rising below the lock which may make it unsuitable for mooring.

BW have started work to repair the cill and hope to have the lock re-opened on Saturday 10th October.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 0113 281 6860.

Update 9th Oct:
The lock has been repaired and the navigation has re-opened.


Lemonroyd Lock

Bridge Fault Shuts Lower Peak Forest

The Lower Peak Forest Canal is closed at Dukinfield because of a hydraulics problem with Stanley Lift Bridge.

It is reported that the bridge had jammed in the up position but had to be lowered by BW staff because it is the only access for Plantation Farm. It has reportedly been welded shut for safety reasons to prevent attempts to raise the bridge.

This stoppage affects boaters travelling around the Cheshire Ring.

BW will issue an update on Friday 2nd October.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 01942 405700.


Stanley Lift Bridge

Pump Problem Affects Tinsley Locks

It was reported that there is an emergency stoppage at Tinsley Locks on the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation.

This has now been confirmed by British Waterways. The problem is with the pumping system that feeds the summit level from the river, and a loss of water from the summit level between Tinsley and Sheffield, resulting in the closure of Tinsley Locks.

It may be several days before navigation can be restored. Information will be posted here as soon as it is known.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 0113 281 6860.

Update:
The navigation is still closed. BW will issue a further update on Wednesday 30th September.

Tinsley Locks

Leak Shuts Huddersfield Canal

A leak, described as "serious", has shut the Huddersfield Narrow Canal near Lock 14e, between Slaithwaite and Milnsbridge.

The canal bank has not actually breached and there is no visible damage to the canal, but the serious leak developed on Tuesday night, with water escaping from just above the lock into the nearby Ramsden Mill. An employee of Trojan Plastics said that it sounded like a waterfall and that at one point there was around two feet of water inside the building.

British Waterways staff have drained the lock and the pound above it, to prevent any more water escaping. They will need to remain drained until repairs can be carried out. It is thought that this means the canal will be closed here for the rest of the season.

Boats approaching from Huddersfield will need to turn back below Lock 9e in Milnsbridge. Boats booked to pass through Standedge Tunnel from the west are being turned back below Lock 24w at Dobcross. Boats currently at Slaithwaite or Marsden will need to go through Standedge Tunnel to leave the canal.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 0113 281 6860.


Lock 14e, Huddersfield Narrow Canal
There have been ongoing problems with water leaking into the mill from the lock if boaters leave the lock filled. The lock side has been grouted but the problems were re-appearing. The serious leak that occured this week was believed to be not from the lock itself, as it continued after the lock was emptied, but from above the lock. There is no visible sign of damage and it is thought that water may have seeped through stonework and created a cavity.

Tail gates chained open to keep lock empty.

Another Half Day Stoppage at Bosley

The top gate of Lock 5 on the Bosley lock flight, Macclesfield Canal, has been damaged by boat impact.

There will be a half day stoppage on Wednesday 12th August. Lock 5 will be closed between 7.00 and 11.00 am.

The pound between Locks 4 and 5 will be de-watered in order to inspect the gate to ensure the integrity of the pivot beneath the heel post.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 01606 723800.


Lock 5 at Bosley

Guillotine Gate cuts off Huddersfield Canal

Lock 24e of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, the Slaithwaite guillotine lock, has been closed following concerns over opearational safety.

According to BW, the operation of the lock has become unsafe and could pose a risk to customers.

Engineers will inspect the lock on Wednesday and BW will issue an update on Thursday 13th August.

The guillotine gate at the tail end of the lock is raised an lowered manually with a windlass. The lock, sometimes refered to as "Shuttle Lock", is believed to be the only narrow lock with a guillotine gate.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 0113 281 6860.

Half Day Stoppage at Bosley

A ground paddle has failed at Lock 5 on th eBosley lock flight, Macclesfield Canal.

There will be a half day stoppage on Tuesday 4th August to repair the paddle.

Stop planks will be put into place so that the area around the paddle can be de-watered.

The lock will be closed between 7.00 and 11.00 am.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 01606 723800.


Lock 5 at Bosley

Stoppage at Newlay near Leeds

There are reports of an emergency stoppage at Newlay 3-rise Locks, on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal to the west of Leeds.

It is reported that BW staff are informing boaters of a broken gate which may result in a closure of several days until it can be repaired.

Update 3rd August:
The stoppage has now been confirmed. The heel post of one of the bottom gates has broken. A replacement part will arrive on Wednesday and work will begin then. BW will issue an update on Thursday 6th August.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 0113 281 6860.

Newlay 3-rise Locks

Overnight Stoppage at Dobson Locks

There will be a overnight emergency stoppage at Dobson 2-rise Locks, near Apperley Bridge, Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

The locks will be closed from 4.00 pm on Thursday 30th July until 8.00 am on Friday 31st July.

The stoppage is to enable emergency repairs to be made to a damaged cill.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 0113 281 6860.


Dobson 2-rise Locks

Emergency One Day Stoppage at Bank Newton

There will be a one-day emergency stoppage at Lock 37 on the Bank Newton Locks, Leeds and Liverpool Canal on Friday 31st July.

Because the locks are already subject to restricted opening hours, this means that the locks will close at 6.00 pm on 30th June and re-open at 10.00 am on 1st August.

There is also a one day stoppage at Barrowford Locks on 30th July [see below].

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 0113 281 6860.

Update:
The stoppage has been amended so that the canal at Bank Newton should re-open at 2.00 pm on 31st July.


Lock 37, Bank Newton

Collapsed Wall Shuts Canal at Rotherham - now navigable

The Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation has been closed at Rotherham following the collapse of a wall.

A large section of wall, understood to be part of the old Beatson Clark glass works, has collapsed - partly into the canal - about a quarter of a mile north of Rotherham Lock.

A further section of wall is in danger of collapse.

The canal will remain closed until the wall has been stabilised and debris removed.

Update (31st July):
The debris in the canal from the wall has now been buoyed off. Half of the channel is now navigable to a depth of 1.8 metres. Boats should keep to the side away from the buoyed area.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 0113 281 6860.

Another One Day Stoppage on Leeds & Liverpool

A one-day stoppage on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Barrowford should help to reduce water losses.

Lock 47 on the Barrowford lock flight will be closed on Thursday 30th July.

Because the locks are already subject to restricted opening hours, this means that the locks will close at 6.00 pm on 29th June and re-open at 10.00 am on 31st July.

Anyone needing more information about this stoppage should contact BW on 01942 405700.

This stoppage follows two earlier one-day stoppages on the Bank Newton flight in June.