Online Petition Gathers Pace

On online petition on the Downing Street website is gathering momentum among waterway supporters.

The petition reads: "We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to protect our canals by not selling off property owned by British Waterways."

Petition creator Ian Rees added these statements in support of the petition: "Further to recent announcements concerning the potential sell-off of properties owned by British Waterways by the Treasury, we petition the Prime Minister to give assurances that our canals will be protected and recent levels of investment, a credit to Labour, is maintained.
"Our canals are great source of pleasure for many people in the country, providing a source of employment through tourism and associated businesses. They're also home to many forms of wildlife. Without proper management this will ebb away and the network return to a state of decay and ruin.
"We urge the Government to allow British Waterways to retain its property portfolio, protecting its essential source of revenue and ensure the sustainability of its work."

The petition follows an item on BBC TV's The Politics Show speculating that BW's property portfolio could be sold off to help plug the Government's financial deficit.

BW responded by pointing out that the Government had decided earlier in the year, following a Treasury-led review, that British Waterways' 1,400 canalside properties should not be sold, although it acknowledged that things could change.

Save Our Waterways commented: "It would be a very short-sighted decision if the government were to sell off BW's property portfolio. Not only would the amount raised not be great in a recession, but it would deprive BW of a vital source of income, meaning that the government would have to pump additional money into BW in the future just to maintain the system at a basic level."

The story about the possible sell-off spread alarm amongst waterway users, despite BW's reassurances, resulting in the online petition.

The petition came to the notice of the Inland Waterways Association who have indicated that they support the statements in the petition and have been encouraging people to add their names.

Some people are doubtful about the effectiveness of petitions, but the IWA points out: "The worst outcome now that this is in the public domain, would be if this petition receives scant support. That might give Ministers the impression that there are few waterways supporters who care very much about the issue. On the other hand, if it is well supported, the Government, this close to an election, is very sensitive to actions it might take which may lose votes."

The petition has picked up 5,000 names in just a few days. Please look at the petition by following this link http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/protectourcanals/ and, if you agree with it, add your own name.

Two Day Stoppage at Barton Aqueduct

A stoppage will affect Barton Aqueduct on the Bridgewater Canal for two days in December to enable the structure to be inspected.

On Wednesday 9th December, the canal will be closed to navigation for most of the day, with passage being available only from 12 noon to 12.30 pm and from 4.00 to 4.30 pm.

On Thursday 10th December, the canal across the aqueduct will be closed to navigation all day.

Boaters are being advised not to moor overnight at Barton Aqueduct. Suggested alternatives are at Worsley village centre, Castlefield or in Sale at the Kings Ransom public house.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to The Bridgewater Canal Company on 0161 629 8266.


Barton Aqueduct

Marple Locks to be shut for three weeks

Marple Locks on the Peak Forest Canal will be closed from Monday 30th November to Thursday 17th December.

This is an unplanned stoppage, not included in the orignal winter stoppage list, to allow for emergency third-party repairs to Brabyns Brow Bridge (Station Road), adjacent to Lock 9.

This stoppage affects boaters travelling around the Cheshire Ring.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 01782 785703.


Lock 9 and Brabyns Brow Bridge

Leeds and Liverpool closed at Hapton

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal has been closed at Hapton Bridge (bridge 121) after the bridge was struck by a vehicle.

Some of the bridge masonry has fallen onto the canal and towpath. As a result the canal has been closed until the remaining stonework can be assessed, debris removed and any emergency repairs completed.

British Waterways will issue an update notice on Monday 16th November 2009.

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

Update (17th Nov):
Due to a mechanical failure of the equipment used to remove the debris, the canal at Hapton is not expected to be re-opened until November 18th.
Update (19th Nov):
The navigation is now re-opened.


Hapton Bridge, Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Huddersfield Canal gets an Overhaul

British Waterways has announced that the Huddersfield Narrow Canal will be receiving an overhaul during the Winter season.

A £445,000 programme of works will include the replacement of some of the lock gates at six locks between Marsden and Slaithwaite. These are Locks 28e, 29e, 31e, 33e, 40e and 42e.

The new gates will be built at British Waterways' own workshops at Stanley Ferry, Wakefield. The old gates will be re-cycled and reused for other projects.

David Baldacchino, waterways manager for British Waterways' new Manchester and Pennine region, said: "My staff put a huge amount of planning and dedicated work in to ensure that the canals stay open, accessible and in good working order and lock gate replacements such as this are a prime example of that."

The Winter maintenance programme will also include major works at Lock 14e, Golcar, where water has been leaking into the adjacent Ramsden's Mill. The canal was closed here in September when the leak became serious. An investigation revealed that a quick fix would not be possible and, as the major work was scheduled to be carried out in January, it was decided that this work should go ahead as planned and that the canal should remain closed until then.


Lock 31e, Huddersfield Narrow Canal

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