Two Week Stoppage at Keadby

An unplanned stoppage will close Keadby Lock on the Stainforth and Keadby Canal for two weeks.

The stoppage, from 6th to 17th February, is to enable emergency repairs to be carried out to the controls of Keadby Lock Swing Bridge by Lincolnshire County Council.

Boats will still be able to travel along the length of the canal from Bramwith but there will be no access to or from the tidal River Trent during this period.


Keadby Swing Bridge

Huddersfield Stoppage extended by One Month

The stoppage which has closed the eastern half of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal since September has been extended for a further month.

The major repairs at Lock 14e, Ramsden Mill Lock, Golcar, were scheduled to be carried out between 18th January and 23rd February, but recent bad weather and additional work involved in fitting gates will mean that the work will not be complete until 26th March.

There have been long-term problems with leaks from this lock into the adjacent mill building but a more serious leak from the paddle culvert in September 2009 meant that this section of canal had to be closed. As repair work was already planned for the Winter stoppage period the eastern half of the canal has been closed since then.

The extension of this stoppage by a further month will be bad news for local boaters, canal businesses and those planning an early journey in this area.

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


Lock 14e at Golcar.

Barton Aqueduct Problems Continue

The stoppage at Barton Swing Aqueduct on the Bridgewater Canal, reported here last week, is set to continue.

However, boaters will have an opportunity for one hour to cross the aqueduct next Monday, 1st February, between 1.00 and 2.00 pm. The Bridgewater Canal Company will swing the aqueduct at that time to allow boats to pass.

After this brief opening, the aqueduct will be swung back so that traffic on the Ship Canal can pass through. The aqueduct will then continue to be closed to navigation on the Bridgewater Canal until further notice.

The Bridgewater Canal Company says that there is a problem achieving a water tight seal on the North side of the Aqueduct. Their engineers are working to resolve this issue as soon as possible but are not yet able to say how long the aqueduct will remain closed.

The Company will issue further updates when more is known.

Any queries about this stoppage should be made to the Bridgewater Canal Company on 0161 629 8266.


Barton Swing Aqueduct

Leeds & Liverpool Stoppages Extended

The winter stoppages affecting Wigan Locks and the Gargrave / Bank Newton Locks on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal have been extended.

The work to install lock ladders and repair gates, cills and paddles on the Gargrave and Bank Newton lock flights was planned to be complete by 14th February, but will not now be finished until Sunday 28th February.

The work to install lock ladders on the Wigan lock flight was planned to be complete by 12th March, but will not now be finished until Friday 26th March.

A list of the Winter stoppages in the area and any known alterations can be seen here:
http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/stoppages.htm


Wigan Lock flight

One Day Delay on Macclesfield Canal

Boaters using the Macclesfield Canal face a delay of one day due to an unexpected stoppage at Royal Oak Swing Bridge, Fools Nook, between Macclesfield and Bosley Locks.

The swing bridge will be closed to navigation on Monday 1st February to allow electrical maintenance work to take place. Boaters should moor up and wait until the work is completed.

United Utilities, who supply power to the swing bridge, have advised British Waterways of their intention to carry out essential maintenance to distribution system nearby. which will make the bridge inoperable as there will be no power available.


Royal Oak Swing Bridge and footbridge

Technical Problems Shut Barton Aqueduct

Technical problems mean that the Barton Swing Aqueduct is going to be closed to navigation on the Bridgewater Canal until further notice.

However, the aqueduct will be swung at 10.30 am on Saturday 23rd January and any boats waiting at the aqueduct at that time will be allowed across. However, the Bridgewater Canal Company warns that substantial ice remains on the canal, in case anyone is thinking of making a dash for it.

After this brief opening, the aqueduct will be swung back so that traffic on the Ship Canal can pass through.

The Canal Company will review the situation on Monday 25th January.

Any queries about this stoppage should be made to the Bridgewater Canal Company on 0161 629 8266.


Barton Swing Aqueduct

Wall Collapse Shuts Towpath

A collapsed wall has shut the towpath of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal between Locks 14w and 15w in Mossley.
A section of the 15 foot high wall, part of a single storey weaving shed at Woodend Mill, has fallen onto the lockside of Lock 14w. Part of the wall is leaning outwards, showing that a further collapse is possible. BW has closed the towpath to ensure the safety of walkers. It would appear that none of the rubble has fallen as far as the lock chamber.


Collapsing wall at Lock 14w. (Click image to enlarge)

HCS Founder John Maynard Dies

John Maynard in 1995 [photo: HCS]

Canal enthusiasts will be sad hear of the death, on 1st January, of John Maynard, one of the founders of the Huddersfield Canal Society.

His funeral will take place on Thursday 14th January, 2.00pm, at Huddersfield Crematorium.

In 1974 John, along with Bob Dewey, Margaret Sinfield and Ralph Kirkham, decided to form a society with the aim of promoting the restoration the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. They organised a public meeting in April 1974 which was attended by 52 people. The first 15 members signed up to the new society. John Maynard was elected as the first Chairman and Bob Dewey as Secretary.

John has remained a member and has attended events and Annual General Meetings whenever he was able.

Rochdale Summit - Book Now for Christmas!

Anyone intending to take a boat across the Rochdale Canal summit over Christmas or New Year should book their passage quickly.

If you want to cross the summit between Monday December 28th and Monday January 4th you must book by Thursday 24th December before 12.00 noon. This is because BW's office that handles bookings will be closed between Christmas and New Year.

There will be no passages on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year's Day.

Passages on the Rochdale Canal Summit can be booked by phoning BW on 01782 785703.

The same booking arrangements also apply to passages along the Rochdale Canal between Lock 65 in Failsworth and Lock 83 in Manchester.



Summit of Rochdale Canal

Passage to Liverpool Resumes

Navigation to and from Liverpool has now resumed after being disruptted by an electrical fault on a swing bring in Maghull.

Maghull Hall Bridge (number 12) at Hall Lane, Maghull, was temporarily inoperable. Contractors have been on site and the bridge was re-opened on 18th December.

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

This stoppage is 2.5 miles before the start of the section of canal into Liverpool on which passage must be booked.


Hall Lane Bridge, Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Dangerous Building in Sowerby Bridge

A dangerous building has led to the closure of the Rochdale Canal and towpath in Sowerby Bridge.

British Waterways says that the canalside building has the potential to collapse across the canal.

The canal above Tuel Lock is currently closed to enable investigation of embankment leaks so BW has extended the section of canal currently closed to include the area affected by the dangerous building.

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


Tuel Lock, Rochdale Canal

Oil Spill shuts New Junction Canal

An oil spillage has closed the New Junction Canal, Yorkshire, between Sykehouse Lift Bridge and Sykehouse Lock.

The canal has been closed until the oil spill can be contained and removed. The stoppage is necessary to prevent the oil being spread further afield by boat movements.

Contractors will be on site tomorrow to begin the clear-up. An update will be issued on Friday 18th December at midday.

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

24th Dec: No update to this stoppage received yet from BW.


Sykehouse Lift Bridge, New Junction Canal

Paddle Failure on Rochdale

A failed paddle has led to a temporary stoppage at Lock 14 on the Rochdale Canal, between Hebden Bridge and Todmorden.

The broken top paddle at Holmcoat Lock is causing a substantial loss of water to the pounds above.

British Waterways will replace th epaddle as a matter of urgency. An update will be issued on Tuesday 15th December.

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

24th Dec: No update to this stoppage received yet from BW.

Electrical Fault stops passage to Liverpool

Navigation to and from Liverpool is affected by an electrical fault on a swing bring in Maghull.

Maghull Hall Bridge (number 12) at Hall Lane, Maghull, is temporarily inoperable. Contractors have been on site and will return on Monday to re-assess the situation.

British Waterways will issue an update notice on Monday 14th December 2009.

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

This stoppage is 2.5 miles before the start of the section of canal into Liverpool on which passage must be booked.


Hall Lane Bridge, Leeds and Liverpool Canal