New Minister hedges on BW changes

The newly-appointed government minister with responsibility for the waterways is Richard Benyon MP.

His message to the waterway community upon appointment gives a rather mixed message. He said that the new Government would continue to look at the possibility of creating a "third sector" model for British Waterways, as this may fit neatly with the so-called "big society" philosophy.

However, he warned that nothing could be decided before the outcome of the Government's spending revue, as the Government's main objective was to reduce the deficit.

He gave the same reason for his decision not to proceed with a new Government waterways strategy. (Can he be referring to Defra's "Waterways for Everyone" strategy? What are the implications if this is abandoned?)

Mr Benyon also suggested that any "third-sector" waterway body could include the Environment Agency's navigations (such as the Thames, the Nene and the Broads). This suggestion has been welcomed by the IWA, which has campaigned for a nation waterway "conservancy" but is likely to be opposed by many boaters based on EA waters.

Repairs on Huddersfield mean delays

Unscheduled repairs to a lock on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal will mean delays for boaters heading across the canal.

It has been found that the wooden cills to the bottom gates at Lock 32 west (Diggle) have failed and filling the lock is becoming more difficult. BW has decided to replace the cills now, before passage becomes impossible.

The lock will be closed to navigation from 2.00 pm Wednesday 23rd to 12.00 noon Friday 25th June. This stoppage will affect boaters passing through Standedge Tunnel. Boaters with tunnel bookings should contact BW for advice on whether this will affect their booking.

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

Update 22nd June:
In addition to the stoppage shown above, BW will be making similar repairs to Lock 22w at Uppermill, where the quoins have failed, making filling difficult. Lock 22w will be closed from 7.30 am Thursday 24th June to 12.00 noon Friday 25th June.


Lock 32w at Diggle

Stoppage at Dobson Locks

There is a stoppage at Dobson Two-Rise Locks on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Apperley Bridge, near Leeds.

The stoppage will be today and tomorrow (21st - 22nd June). The locks will be dewatered in order to find the reason for water loss in the bottom chamber. If possible, repairs will then be carried out.

Stop planks will be put in place so that the bottom chamber can be completely dewatered.

Enquiries about this stoppage should be made to BW on 01942 405700.


Dobson Two-Rise Locks.

Hold-up in Huddersfield

Boaters passing through Huddersfield will experience delays due to a problem at Lock 1e at Huddersfield University.

The lock has suffered failure of the cill and quoins and cannot be kept full, making passage very difficult. The lock will be closed on Thursday 17th June to enable a BW team to make emergency repairs.

The lock will re-open at 9.00 am on Friday 18th June. In the meantime, eastbound boats should moor above Lock 3e. (BW suggests mooring above Lock 2e but there is little room there and no easy or official access to the street.)

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


Lock 1e, Huddersfield

Mooring Restrictions at Castlefield

Boaters visiting Manchester during the next month need to be aware that some of the mooring spaces in Castlefield will be out of use.

Between 7th Jane and 12th July boats will not be allowed to moor along the Staffordshire Arm, which is the arm leading from the bottom of the Rochdale Canal to the Museum of Science and Industry.

Alternative mooring can be had along the main Castlefield Basin (Coal Wharf) subject to space being available.

The arena area alongside the Staffordshire Arm is to be used for screening World Cup Football. Admittance to the big screen area is by ticket only.

Boaters requiring further information about this restriction should contact the Bridgewater Canal Company on 0161 629 8266.


Staffordshire Arm at Castlefield

Limited Passage Through Wigan

After the whole of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal through Wigan has been closed for two days, through lack of water, British Waterways is to introduce very restricted assisted passages though the affected area.

On the Wigan lock flight, here will be ONE supervised passage on Saturday, Sunday and Monday starting at 10.00 am PROMPT between Locks 65 (Wigan Top Lock) & Lock 85 (above junction with Leigh Branch). Any boats arriving after this time will have to wait until 10.00 am the following day for the next available passage.

The locks between Henhurst Lock (86) and Ell Meadow Lock (89) will be open between 8.00 am and 1.00 pm only. Any boats arriving after this time will have to wait until 8.00 am the following day for the next available passage.

Poolstock Locks 1 & 2 on the Leigh Branch will be open between 8.00 am and 1.00 pm only. Any boats arriving after this time will have to wait until 8.00 am the following day for the next available passage.

Passage between Dean Lock (90) and Appley Lock (91) will be strictly monitored. Passages will only be permitted if water levels allow.

British Waterways will not guarantee passage if water levels are not sufficient to permit navigation.

BW has brought in a pump to extract more water from the River Douglas at Scholes, which is slowly helping the situation.

BW has asked boaters not contact Freefone Canals for updates relating to these restrictions as this number is for emergencies only.

BW will issue a further update on Monday 7th June at 2.00 pm.

Enquiries about this stoppage should be made to BW on 01942 405700.

Update 7th June:
BW says that the above restrictions will remain in force for the time being.


Henhurst Lock, Wigan

Wigan Waterless Once Again

Boaters using the Leeds and Liverpool Canal will be dismayed to hear that the whole of the canal through Wigan has been shut due to low water levels.

This affects the Wigan lock flight and the locks west of Wigan, from Lock 65 to Lock 91 at Appley Bridge. It also includes the two locks at Poolstock on the Leigh Branch.

British Waterways says that, due to low water levels, these locks will be closed to allow the pounds sufficient time to recover to navigable levels.

BW will issue and update on Thursday 3rd June at 2.00 pm.

Enquiries about this stoppage should be made to BW on 01942 405700.

The same area was severely affected by low water levels during March, partly due to anti-social behaviour and partly to problems with the feeder from Scholes.

Update 3rd June:
As water levels in Wigan are not recovering quickly enough, BW is to use a pump to supplement the feeder from the River Douglas at Scholes. BW says this should improve the situation. They will issue a further update on Friday 4th June.

Update 4th June:
BW staff have helped some of the boats that were trapped to continue on their way. BW has now introduced very limited assisted passages through the Wigan flight and restricted opening below Wigan and on the Leigh Branch. See item above for details.


Wigan Flight

Stoppage at Barrowford Locks

There is a stoppage at Barrowford Locks on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal near Nelson.

There is damage to the wooden cill and lock floor adjacent to the tail gates of Lock 46, Barrowford, leading to an escape of water, preventing the lock from being filled.

Investigation and repair will take place over the weekend.

BW will issue a further update on Tuesday 1st June. Enquiries about this stoppage should be made to BW on 01942 405700.

Update 1st June:
Repair works are still in progress and the cement will need to set before the lock can be re-opened. BW anticipates that the stoppage will be lifted on Thursday morning 3rd June.

BW will issue a further update on Thursday 3rd June.

Update 3rd June:
BW has announced that the lock has now re-opened to navigation.

Update 4th June:
BW has announced that the lock has been closed again due to a further problem with the tail gate cill. Repair works will be undertaken immediately and it is anticipated that works will be completed by 12.00 noon on Saturday 5th June.


Looking towards Lock 46, Barrowford.

Shorter Opening Hours for Plank Lane

Plank Lane Lift Bridge, on the Leigh Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, is to be open for fewer hours each day.

British Waterways is having to identify areas where money can be saved. This lift bridge has to be manned during all opening hours and this currently involves the use of overtime. A reduction in the operating hours of the bridge will free a significant sum of money which can be re-directed into essential maintenance works.

From June, the bridge will be open to navigation only during the following hours:
• June 2010     08.30 am to 4.30 pm
• July 2010      08.30 am to 6.00 pm
• August 2010    08.30 am to 6.00 pm
• September 2010   08.30 am to 4.30 pm

This is a trial and the opening hours will be reviewed in October.

Debbie Lumb, BW's North West Manager, said that she appreciates that this is a substantial reduction in the opening hours and it may cause some inconvenience to those travelling in the area. However, she said must balance the cost of staffing the bridge against the works needed elsewhere.

She added that BW is currently reviewing the benefits of utilising volunteers to meet a range of core duties. In the near future, BW hopes that volunteers can help to man locks and bridges. If BW can secure the volunteer commitment for Plank Lane Lift Bridge, it is possible that the bridge can revert to longer opening hours in the future.

Anyone interested in finding out more about how to get involved with this should contact BW in Wigan on 01942 405700.

BW in Wigan welcomes feedback by phone or email on how these reduced opening hours affect boaters.

Leeds and Liverpool: Reduced Lock Opening Hours

British Waterways has announced a restriction in the opening hours of almost all locks on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and Leigh Branch in an attempt to conserve water supplies.

The locks will only be open to navigation between 9.00 am and 4.30 pm.

An exceptionally dry start to the year has meant BW having to rely on reservoirs to feed the canals earlier in the season than normal. As a result the reservoirs supplying the summit of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal all have holdings below their long term average for this time of year.

BW warns that there is a risk that the reservoirs supplying the Leeds and Liverpool Canal will not have sufficient water to supply the canal throughout the boating season, so they are imposing these restrictions in an attempt to mitigate this risk and prolong the availability of water for the remainder of the boating season.

BW will review the situation in three weeks and an update will be issued on 14th June.

BW asks that boaters ensure that they have passed through the affected lock flights to a mooring point before the 4.30 pm lock up time. Boaters are also asked to follow the instruction of Lock Keepers and adhere to "Thrift" notices posted at the lock side.

The locks affected by this restriction are:
• Appley Bridge to Pagefield (Lock 91 to 88)
• Wigan Flight (Locks 87 to 65)
• Poolstock Locks (Locks 1 to 2 on Leigh Branch)
• Johnsons Hillocks (Locks 58 to 64)
• Blackburn Flight (Locks 52 to 57)
• Barrowford Flight (Locks 45 to 51)
• Greenberfield Locks (Locks 42 to 44)
• Bank Newton and Gargrave Locks (Locks 30 to 41)
• Bingley Five Rise and Three Rise Locks (Locks 22 to 29)
• Field Locks (Locks 16 to 18)
• Newlay and Forge Locks (Locks 8 to 13)
• Spring Garden to Office Locks (Locks 1 to 6)


Newlay Locks

Pollution Shuts Calder and Hebble

Pollution of rivers following a fire near Huddersfield has resulted in closure of part of the Calder and Hebble Navigation.

British Waterways has announced a stoppage affecting the waterway between Cooper Bridge and Thornhill Double Lock, Dewsbury.

The incident is the result of a serious fire at a chemical factory at Linthwaite in the early hours of Monday morning, when chemicals seeped into the adjacent River Colne.

Acting on advice issued by the Environment Agency British Waterways is working to prevent the input of polluted water into the canal system. Initially this involved closing the feed from the River Colne into the Huddersfield Broad Canal, resulting in the closure of that canal, as there was no incoming water to re-fill locks.

The river pollution has now reached the River Calder just below Cooper Bridge. In order to prevent polluted water entering the lock cuts and the canal section between Thornhill and Broad Cut, the flood locks will be closed, preventing the passage of boats.

Boats currently on the Battyeford and Mirfield lock cuts will need to remain where they are. The Huddersfield Broad Canal remains closed, so boats coming downstream from Brighouse should not proceed past Kirklees Cut. Boats coming upstream from Broad Cut will not be able to exit from Thornhill Flood Lock and should not proceed beyond Thornhill Double Locks.

British Waterways will issue an update on Wednesday 26th May. Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 0113 281 6860.

This temporary closure is to prevent any long term environmental and ecological impact.

Update, 27th May:
BW has announced that the Calder and Hebble Navigation will be re-opened throughout by lunchtime today, Thursday 27th May.

Fire Shuts Canals

A chemical fire alongside the Huddersfield Narrow Canal has closed the eastern part of that canal and the whole of the Huddersfield Broad Canal.

The fire happened early this morning at chemical works alongside Lock 20e of the canal at Linthwaite. On the advice of the emergency services, British Waterways immediately closed the section of canal between Lock 12e, Milnsbridge and Lock 24e, Slaithwaite.

This afternoon the whole of the Huddersfield Broad Canal has been closed. This is because it is feared that chemical pollution from the fire has got into the River Colne. British Waterways has closed the feed from the River Colne into the head of the Huddersfield Broad Canal, to the west of Aspley Basin. Without this feed, the locks on the canal cannot be operated, or the summit level will become drained.

British Waterways says that it will issue an update on Tuesday afternoon (25th May).

This stoppage affects boaters navigating the South Pennine Ring.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to BW on 01782 785703 for the Huddersfield Narrow Canal or 0113 281 6860 for the Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Update, 25th May:
Huddersfield Narrow Canal now re-opened. The locks on the Huddersfield Broad Canal are still closed. The pollution has not dispersed through the river system as quickly as anticipated, so the stoppage will remain in place for at least a further 24 hours.

BW will issue a further update on 26th May. Any boaters with an urgent need to travel on the Huddersfield Broad should phone 0113 281 6860 for latest information.

The fire affected more that just the canals yesterday. As a plume of hazardous smoke drifted south-eastwards from the site, schools and major roads were closed and residents across the south of Huddersfield were told to stay indoors.

Update, 27th May:
BW has announced that the Huddersfield Broad Canal will be re-opened by lunchtime today, Thursday 27th May.


Lock 20e, Huddersfield Narrow Canal

Stoppage at Marple Locks

British Waterways has warned that Marple Locks are currently closed to navigation.

Lock 8 of the flight is de-watering itself, making navigation through the lock impossible. This is possibly due to a failed wooden cill or a faulty paddle. BW staff are investigating the problem today and will carry out a repair tomorrow.

It is hoped that the locks can be re-opened at 6 pm tomorrow (Wednesday 19th May). Boaters should not attempt to enter the lock flight until the stoppage has been lifted.

This stoppage affects boaters navigating the Cheshire Ring.

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

Update, 18th May: It is thought that CCTV cameras will need to be used to survey the bywashes in conjunction with this stoppage. This work may continue into Thursday 20th May, requiring 20-minute restrictions to navigation.

Update, 19th May: Due to damage being worse than first thought, the lock will not re-open to navigation until 6 pm on Thursday 20th May.


Marple Locks

Residents oppose canalside development near Bingley Five Rise

A group of residents and supporters are battling to stop a large housing development taking place on land adjoining the Leeds and Liverpool Canal near Bingley.

There are plans to develop a 40 acre site off Micklethwaite Land and Sty Lane that borders 800 feet of canal bank where there are currently long term moorings. Although the land is zoned for housing on Bradford Council's UDP, residents are concerned over the proposals for 475 houses to be built, with serious issues for local infrastructure.


Area affected by proposals. (Google Maps / Greenhill Action Group)

One of these issues in Micklethwaite Swing Bridge, which would provide the principal access to the site. This could result in long traffic queues when boats pass through. Residents have also expressed concern for the future of indigenous white geese that occupy some of the site.

A public meeting last week attracted 400 people. A further meeting is expected to take place in a few weeks.

Greenhill Action Group has set up a website to make their case, which includes an online petition and suggestions for letters of objection.

The application and related documents can be viewed on Bradford Council's website.

Any objections need to be submitted immediately. The email address is planning.consultations@bradford.gov.uk The council website gives a date of 18th May for the end of the consultation period.

Update: Greenhill Action Group suggests that objections can be sent up until 24th May.


Micklethwaite Swing Bridge