Breach south of Preston Brook

A breach has closed the Trent and Mersey Canal between Preston Brook Tunnel and Barnton Tunnel. Although this is just outside the area covered by Pennine Waterways website it could affect some boaters currently on the Bridgewater Canal or in the Manchester area.

The breach is understood to be a short distance south of Dutton Lock. The Canal and River Trust have issued a stoppage notice in which they describe the event as "erosion" rather than a breach!

A video of the scene of the breach has been posted here on YouTube by Little Leigh Village website. Facebook users can see photos on Little Leigh Village's Facebook page.

A shorter video clip can be seen here on YouTube.

The breach will affect boaters navigating the Cheshire Ring. The alternative route is through Manchester and via the Ashton, Peak Forest and Macclesfield Canals. Any boaters stuck north of the breach who genuinely need to leave their boat somewhere should contact Claymoore Boats at Preston Brook, who may be able to offer you a haven. If you are north of the breach on a hire boat based south of the breach it is likely that your hire company will arrange for you to take your boat to Claymoore Boats.

The photo below comes from the Little Leigh Village's Facebook page. [Little Leigh Village website]

Update Wednesday 26th September:
The Trent and Mersey Canal has now been closed to navigation between Preston Brook Runnel and Middlewich Big Lock. The Canal and River Trust says that the canal has suffered a breach at Dutton Hollow, near Preston Brook and also that significant damage has been done to a supporting embankment at Croxton Flash near Middlewich.


Breach on Trent and Mersey. Photo: Little Leigh Village's Facebook page

Floods close Yorkshire waterways

Many of Yorkshire's navigations are currently closed due to flooding caused by heavy rain.

Flood locks have been closed on the Calder and Hebble Navigation and the Aire and Calder Navigation. The "Don Doors" - the guillotine gates each side of the Don Aqueduct on the New Junction Canal - are also closed.

These stopppages are likely to remain in place for the rest of today.

Any enquiries about these stoppages should be made to the Canal and River Trust on 0303 0404040.

Update Wednesday 26th September, 9.00 am:
The flood lock gates on the Aire & Calder and the Calder & Hebble will remain closed today. The "Don Doors" on the New Junction Canal also remain closed.

Update Thursday 27th September:
The "Don Doors" on the New Junction Canal should by now have been re-opened but all the flood locks on the Aire & Calder will remain closed today. No information has been received about the Calder & Hebble.

Update Friday 28th September:
Water levels remain high on both the Calder & Hebble and the Aire & Calder Navigations so the flood locks are still shut.

Canal and River Trust staff will be monitoring the levels over the weekend and when they reduce to a safe level they will start to open the flood locks.

Update Tuesday 2nd October:
All flood locks on the Calder & Hebble Navigation have now been re-opened.


Don Aqueduct, New Junction Canal

Leeds and Liverpool blocked by fallen tree

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal has been closed to navigation west of Blackburn after high winds brought down a large tree.

The tree is blocking the canal between Fenniscowles Bridge (93b) and Stanworth Bridge (93). Winding is available west of Stanworth Bridge or at Eanam Wharf in Blackburn.

The Canal and River Trust will issue an update tomorrow (25th September). Any enquiries about this stoppage should be made to the Canal and River Trust on 03030 404040.

Update Tuesday 25th September, 4.30 pm:
The canal is still closed to navigation at this point.

Update Wednsday 26th September, 11.00 am:
The canal has now re-opened at this location.


The Leeds and Liverpool canal west of Fenniscowles

Barnby Dun Bridge Delays

Boaters using the South Yorkshire Navigation face delays at Barnby Dun following a problem with the lift bridge. A lorry has struck one of the barriers, rendering the bridge unsafe to use.

The Canal and River Trust will issue an update later today, with a possible re-opening date. The Canal and River Trust will try to provide a window today for boats to be assisted through the bridge.

Any enquiries about this stoppage should be made to the Canal and River Trust on 0303 0404040.

Barnby Dun lift bridge is between Doncaster and the junction with the New Junction Canal and Stainforth & Keadby Canal.

Update Monday 10th September, 4.00 pm:
The repairs have been completed and the bridge has now re-opened to navigation.


Barnby Dun Bridge, South Yorkshire Navigation

Wigan Stoppage

Boaters on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal face delays as a section of the canal through Wigan is closed.

The stoppage arises because the pound between Lock 86 (Henhurst Lock) and Lock 87 (Bottom Lock) needs to be de-watered so that a paddle at Lock 86 can be repaired. The pound to be drained is the one outside the windows of the Canal and River Trust's North West office!

This stoppage affects boats travelling between Wigan and Burscough. Boats travelling between Wigan Top Lock and the Leigh Branch are not affected.

The Canal and River Trust will issue an update on Thursday 30th August.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to the Canal and River Trust on Enquiries: 03030 404040.

Urgent Update Tuesday 28th August, 11.30 am:
A further stoppage notice has been issued. Lock 83 is also to be de-watered to repair a paddle. This means that the whole of the Wigan lock flight is closed.

Further updated will be posted here when they are received.

Update Thursday 30th August, 9.00 am:
Lock 83 has now re-opened to navigation.
Lock 86 and 87 have also re-opened.

Urgent Update Friday 31st August, 9.00 am:
The Wigan flight between Locks 65 and 85 has been closed again to allow for the repair of broken paddles. The Canal and River Trust will issue a further update on Monday 3rd September.

Update Monday 3rd September, 11.00 am:
The Wigan flight between Locks 65 and 85 has now re-opened.

Urgent Update Tuesday 4th September, 11.00 am:
The Wigan flight between Locks 65 and 85 will be closed again on Wednesday 5th September to allow for the replacement of damaged baffles at Lock 83. The work is expected to take just one day.

Update Thursday 6th September, 3.00 pm:
The Wigan flight between Locks 65 and 85 has now re-opened.


Henhurst Lock, Wigan

Further Restrictions at Marple

Boaters using the Peak Forest Canal face new restrictions at Marple Locks after a tail gate balance beam failed at Lock 14.

Canal and River Trust staff will be on hand to help boats through this lock, which means that the flight is closed outside of working hours.

The locks will be open today and tomorrow (22nd and 23rd August) from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm. Last entry to the flight will be 3.00 pm.

It is hoped that the beam can be repaired by Friday.

This restriction comes only a week after the previous restrictions were lifted. The restriction affects boaters navigating the Cheshire Ring.

Any enquiries about this stoppage should be made to the Canal and River Trust on 01782 785703.


Lock 14 on the Marple flight.

Pollution shuts Aire and Calder

A four mile stretch of the Aire and Calder Navigation to the east of Leeds has been closed following a serious pollution incident.

The River Aire has been polluted by oil contamination downstream of Leeds Lock. In order to contain the oil and prevent it from spreading, the navigation has been closed between Leeds Lock (by the Royal Armouries and Clarence Basin) and Fishpond Lock, which is to the east of the M1 motorway viaduct. The Canal and River Trust has asked boaters not to proceed between Leeds Lock and Fishpond Lock.

Contractors have already begun to deal with the incident. An update will be issued at lunchtime on Tuesday 21st August.

Enquiries about this stoppage should be made to the Canal and River Trust on 0303 040 4040.

Lemonroyd Lock, between Fishpond Lock and Castleford, is closed this week for urgent repairs, so hopefully the pollution incident will not inconvenience too many boaters.

Update Wednesday 22nd August:
The polution has been cleared and the navigation is now open between Leeds Lock and Fishponds Lock. Lemonroyd Lock is closed this week for urgent repairs. Flood locks further down the Aire and Calder Navigation have been closed this morning.


River Aire downstream of Leeds

Bridge Failure on Leeds and Liverpool

A bridge failure has resulted in a stoppage on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal near Burscough, between Wigan and Liverpool.

A mechanical and electrical failure means that Bridge 33, Glovers Swing Bridge, is inoperable. This is one mile east of Burscough and a short distance east of the junction with the Rufford Branch.

The Canal and River Trust will issue an update on this stoppage tomorrow, 14th August.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to the Canal and River Trust on 03030 404040.

Update Tuesday 14th August, 4.00 pm
The bridge has now re-opened.

Update Wednesday 15th August, 4.00 pm
The bridge is now closed again to navigation, due to a hydraulic failure.


Glovers Swing Bridge, near Burscough

Paddle Problem at Diggle

There could be delays for boaters on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal after the failure of a paddle at Lock 29w at Diggle.

The Canal and River Trust completed an examination of the paddles this morningn and found that the repair is not simple as the paddle frames have to be removed for
the new paddles to be installed. This is a time consuming process.

It is estimated that the canal will be reopened by first thing on Friday morning, 10th August.

The Canal and River Trust will be contacting boaters with bookings for Standedge Tunnel
to discuss their options with them.

Any enquiries about this stoppage should be made to the Canal and River Trust on 01782 785703.

Update Friday 10th August, 6.00 pm:
The repairs to Lock 29w are now complete. However, following difficulties with water resources following completion of the repairs, the Canal and River Trust has decided to keep the flight closed to navigation between locks 24w and 32w over the weekend. (Locks 24w and 32w will be padlocked.) This is to allow water resources to recover fully in time for tunnel passages next week.

Diggle lock flight will re-open on Monday morning, 13th August.


Looking towards Lock 29w at Diggle

Lemonroyd to shut for a week

The Canal and River Trust has given advance warning of a stoppage later this month at Lemonroyd Lock on the Aire and Calder Navigation between Leeds and Castleford.

Lemonroyd Lock will be closed from Monday 20th August until Saturday 25th August. This unplanned closure is needed to carry out urgent repairs to the lock gate and sluice mechanisms. The lock requires dewatering and for stop planks to be installed for this work.

Any enquiries about this stoppage should be made to the Canal and River Trust on 0303 0404040.

Update Friday 24th August:
Leomonroyd Lock is now open to navigation once again. The repairs are mostly complete but part of the walkway on the upstream gates will remain fenced off. Boaters will be able to get through the lock as normal.


Lemonroyd Lock

Marple Locks Restricted Opening

Following the closure of Marple Locks on Tuesday, they will re-open on a restricted basis until repair work is complete.

Water was leaking from the pound between Locks 15 and 16, making the locks unusable. After lengthy investigations, the source of the leak was found yesterday evening. A temporary repair had been made and the pound was re-watered by 10.00 pm.

By this morning (2nd August) the repair was still holding, so the boats that were waiting above and below the locks were assisted through the lock flight. The pound between Locks 15 and 16 was then de-watered again and a start made on a permanent repair. The repair work will take until Monday or Tuesday of next week.

Starting tomorrow the locks will be open for passage on a restricted basis at the following times:
- Friday 3rd August: 7.30 am to 12.00 noon.* Closed all pm.
- Saturday 4th August: open with lock-keeper in attendance 8.00 am to 5.00 pm.
- Sunday 5th August: open with lock-keeper in attendance 8.00 am to 5.00 pm.
- Monday 6th August: 7.30 am to 12.00 noon.* Closed all pm.
- Tuesday 7th August: 7.30 am to 12.00 noon.* Closed all pm.
- Wednesday 7th August: open normally if all goes to plan.

* Last entry to lock flight on these days:
Last entry to Lock 1 (bottom) 9.00 am
Last entry to Lock 16 (top) 11.00 am

Urgent update Saturday 4th August:
The Canal and River Trust has announced that, "due to a safety issue," they have closed Marple Locks until further notice. They say a further update will be available on Monday 6th August.

Update Monday 6th August:
A retaining wall just below Lock 7 has collapsed. The situation has become worse over the weekend. The restricted opening times mentioned above no longer apply and the lock flight will remain closed to navigation. This is a different problem from the leak between Locks 15 and 16 that caused last week's problems. A further update is expected later today once the Canal and River Trust engineer has assessed the situation.

Update Tuesday 7th August:
The Marple flight has re-opened on a restricted basis:

Boats will be able to enter the flight between 9.00 am and 11.00 am only until further notice.

Boats will be assisted between locks 16 and 15 to control water levels. This is to allow the completion of emergency engineering works. Boats should wait for assistance at lock 16 or 15.

Update Friday 10th August:
The Marple flight will continue to operate on a restricted basis until further notice:

Boats will be able to enter the flight between 9.00 am and 11.00 am only until further notice.

Boats will be assisted between locks 16 and 15 to control water levels. This is to allow the completion of emergency engineering works. Boats should wait for assistance at lock 16 or 15.

These restrictions affect boaters navigating the Cheshire Ring.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to the River and Canal Trust on 01782 785703.

Update Wednesday 15th August, 4.00 pm
The latest update notice would appear to suggest that the navigation is now open as normal and the restrictions lifted.

Leeds and Liverpool Stoppage

The Johnson's Hillock lock flight on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal has been closed. This follows an "incident" at Johnson's Hillock top lock, number 86.

The Canal and River Trust will issue an update tomorrow, Friday 3rd August.

Any enquiries regarding this stoppage should be made to the Canal and River Trust on 030 30 40 40 40.

Update Friday 3rd August, 8.30 am:
The boat that had sunk in Lock 86 has been removed and the canal has now re-opened to navigation through the lock flight.


Lock 58 at Johnson's Hillock.

Marple Locks Stoppage

Boaters on the Peak Forest Canal are facing a stoppage at Marple Locks.
Because a large volume of water is leaking from the pound between the Locks 15 and 16, it is not possible to pass through the locks.

The lock flight has been closed and repairs are to be attempted today (31st July) but the Canal and River Trust say that at the moment the exact point of the water leaving the pound cannot be determined with any certainty.
Boaters are asked to moor up at the top or bottom of the lock flight - above Lock 16 or below Lock 1.

An update will be issued at 2.00 pm. Boaters requiring further information should contact the Canal and River Trust on 01782 785703.

This stoppage will affect boaters navigating the Cheshire Ring.

Update Tuesday 31st July, 4.00 pm:
The Canal and River Trust say that exploratory probing has been carried out but the source of the leak has not yet been located. They will bring in machinery to speed the process up.

At present the estimate is that the canal will re open on Friday 3rd August at midday. Further updates will be issued at 2.00 pm daily until the issue is resolved.

Update Thursday 2nd August, 4.00 pm:
The source of the leak was found yesterday evening. A temporary repair had been made and the pound re-watered by 10 pm. This morning the repair was still holding so the boats that were waiting above and below the locks were assisted through the locks. The pound was then de-watered again and a start made on a permanent repair. The repair work will take until Monday or Tuesday of next week.

The locks will be open for passage at the following times:
- Friday 3rd August: 7.30 am to 12.00 noon. Closed all pm.
- Saturday 4th August: open all day, with lock-keeper in attendance 8.00 am to 5.00 pm.
- Sunday 5th August: open all day, with lock-keeper in attendance 8.00 am to 5.00 pm.
- Monday 6th August: 7.30 am to 12.00 noon. Closed all pm.
- Tuesday 7th August: 7.30 am to 12.00 noon. Closed all pm.
- Wednesday 7th August: open normally if all goes to plan.

More recent updates can be found here.


The pound between Locks 15 and 16, Marple

Rochdale Nine Update

It was reported here last Friday that the Rochdale Nine locks through Central Manchester were closed following an incident with a boat. [See original article.]

The lock flight remains closed today and it would appear that repair work has not yet been carried out. The photo shows water gushing up from under the towpath side head gate. This is because the gate has been lifted out of the pot that enables it to pivot and rotate. Not only does this make the gate difficult to operate, but the lack of a seal prevents the lock from being emptied. (The lock is three quarters full in spite of one of the tail gate paddles being completely raised.)

The Canal and River Trust have investigated the situation and found that the gate has sustained damage which requires the gate to be lifted out and repaired. This will involves the use of scaffolding and a temporary road closure to facilitate the use of a crane. The Canal and River Trust hopes to have the work completed by the end of Friday 27th July.

One report suggests that the bow of a boat became stuck under the beam as the lock was filling and lifted the gate. Another report suggests that a boater was using the boat to open the gate, although it is difficult to see how that could lift the gate.

The Rochdale Nine forms part of the busy Cheshire Ring route and the stoppage at the height of summer has caused disruption to boaters' plans and to boat hire companies, whose customers doing the Cheshire Ring have had to be turned around to retrace their steps.

Enquiries about this stoppage should be made to the Canal and River Trust on 01782 785703.


Lock 89, Rochdale Canal