Work begins on Rochdale Canal culvert

Work is starting this week on repairing the failed culvert under the Rochdale Canal in Mytholmroyd. The canal has been closed between Lock 7, Broadbottom Lock, and Lock 6 at Brearley, to enable investigations to take place. The task has been made more complex by the strong flow of the stream that passes through the culvert and by the close proximity of houses.

Temporary dams and pumps are being installed to create a dry working environment. The previous temporary repair will be removed and the failed section of culvert will be uncovered.

A permanent concrete repair will be carried out to the culvert over the next week and then new puddle clay will be laid over the top to ensure a watertight seal. The contractors will then remove the temporary dams and pumps, refill the canal, reinstate the towpath, site compound area and rebuild the boundary wall.

Currently the work is expected to be completed and the canal re-opened by 24th January, however this is dependent on good weather and working conditions over the next few weeks. Updated information will appear on this page.


The Rochdale Canal below Lock 7 in Mytholmroyd

Tinsley Locks Closed

Tinsley Locks on the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal are currently closed due to low water levels.

While this may seem difficult to believe in the present period of wet weather, on 4th January the pumps failed that supply the summit level into Sheffield. Use of the locks would result in the draining of the summit pound.

Engineers will be inspecting the pumps today and the locks will remain closed until repairs have been carried out.

For up-to-date information on navigation of flight, please contact the lock-keeper on 07710 175488.

Update Tuesday 7th January:
A temporary repair has been carried out ans the lock flight has now been re-opened. The contractors are returning to site on Thursday 9th January to carry out further work on the pumps so there may be more disruption. Please contact the lock keeper on Thursday on 07710 175488 for the latest information.


Tinsley lock flight, Sheffield and Tinsley Canal

Gating proposal for Rochdale Canal

A proposal is being made to close off night-time pedestrian access to the towpath through Piccadilly Undercroft past Lock 85 of the Rochdale Canal in Manchester.

Manchester City Council and the Canal and River Trust are jointly putting forward a plan to erect three gates across the towpath that would be locked at a certain time each evening. This is in an effort to stop problems that have been happening in the area for many years, including indecent activities taking place and inebriated persons falling into the canal.

Boaters pass through the lock without problem but sometimes feel uncomfortable about people hanging around. Most of the problems occur at night at a time when boats are not passing through.

It would appear that it will still be possible for boats to use the lock when the towpath gates are locked as long as crew members are on board the boat to pass the gates, although boaters are encouraged to complete the Rochdale Nine by the end of the afternoon, before the Canal Street area fills with pub and club goers.

One of the proposed gates would go here, below Lock 84.

The Canal and River Trust's David Baldacchino said: "We want to make a difference to what happens in this area. We see this as a key issue to helping develop boating on the South Pennine Ring. Over the years we have tried increasing numbers of people working there, different operating approaches and providing public rescue equipment, none of which has made a significant difference. We cannot be there 24 hours a day, nor can the police or other agencies.

"The next step is a suggestion to close off the towpath at the Undercroft overnight. With that in mind Manchester City Council are inviting comments for such a proposal. [link]

"You may feel that the prospect of closing a section of towpath overnight is very controversial, on the other hand you may think this is an obvious solution to a significant problem and again that the current situation is a huge impediment to developing he canals in Manchester. Whatever your views, your comments are welcomed.

"This is a feasibility study at present, so there is no closing date but the more people that comment the better."

Mr Baldacchino invited people to contact him if they want to talk about the proposal. He also asked anyone who comments to Manchester City Council on the proposal to send a copy to CRT.


A gate is proposed across this entrance to the towpath.


Another gate is proposed across the towpath between the above entrance and the tunnel.


This is the proposed design of the gates.

(Photos and drawing from Canal and River Trust.)

Leeds and Liverpool Re-opens at Rishton

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal has now re-opened to navigation at Rishton, between Blackburn and Burnley. The canal has been closed at this location since 12th September after a section of towpath collapsed and it was realised that the canal was in danger of breaching.

The towpath remains closed for a little longer, probably until Friday 29th November.

The repair work has included stabilisation of the embankment, relining the canal bed and reconstruction of the towpath and wash wall. The work has cost around £300,000.


Location of the re-opened canal at Rishton

Open Day at Wigan Lock

Wigan Pier may be closed but you can still have a day out by the canal in Wigan this weekend at the Canal and River Trust's Open Day.

There will be guided tours around Leeds and Liverpool Canal Lock 87, which is undergoing renovations, as well as the adjoining dry dock and a CRT work boat.

The Open Days are Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th November between 10.00 am and 2.30 pm. Tours start from the Canal and River Trust office at nearby Waterside Drive, where there is free parking. Postcoder for SatNav is WN3 5AZ.

Education and environment teams will be on site displaying some of the activities they take into schools and to events. The Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society will have a stand with some historic information and there will also be some angling taster sessions running nearby.

Tours will include a look at one of CRT's work boats on the moorings outside the office before moving onto the Wigan Dry Dock where North West staff will be on hand to provide information. The tour will take guests over a bridge constructed across lock 87 so that they can view the de-watered lock and hear about what works we are being carried out at the site.

The café at the Wigan Investment Centre will also be open for those who want to finish the tour with a hot drink.


Lock 87 and Dry Dock in Wigan


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Tree blocks Macclesfield Canal

It is reported that the Macclesfield Canal is currently blocked by a fallen tree near Royal Oak Swing Bridge (bridge 49) between Macclesfield and Bosley Locks.

Strong winds are being forecast for the next 24 hours so there is a risk of further blockages caused by fallen trees.

Inspection delay on Rochdale

Boaters using the Rochdale Canal between Rochdale and Manchester face a short delay as Canal and River Trust staff prepare for the winter stoppages.

Lock 61 (Scowcroft Lock) on the Rochdale Canal will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday 9th October) to allow an inspection to determine the work that needs to be carried out over the winter. This will require the lock chamber and tail gate area to be pumped dry.

Scowcroft Lock is near Boarshurst, between Slattocks and Irk Aqueduct. Boaters waiting to pass through should moor up above Lock 60 (Boarshurst Lock) or on the Irk Aqueduct below Lock 63. The canal will be re-opened during the afternoon.

Update Monday 14th October:
It was not possible to carry out the planned inspection on the original date. This stoppage will now take place on Friday 18th October.


Lockl 61, Scowcroft Lock on the Rochdale Canal

One day stoppage on Huddersfield Narrow

Lock 27e of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal will be closed for 24 hours tomorrow (Friday 4th October) to enable repair work to take place.

The work will begin at 8.00 am on Friday and will involve stop planks being put in place so that the head of the lock can be de-watered. Pointing work will be carried out to reduce leaks through the lock walls. The lock will remain closed until 8.00 am on Saturday to allow the pointing to harden.

The stoppage has been timed to reduce the possible impact on boaters booked to pass through Standedge Tunnel.

Any enquiries should be made to Canal and River Trust on 03030 404040.


Lock 27e, Huddersfield Narrow Canal

Leeds and Liverpool Update

Here is an update on the Leeds and Liverpool stoppage at Rishton in Lancashire.

( For 10th October update, see below. )

On September 11th residents reported that a section of towpath had collapsed between Rishton and the M65 Aqueduct. The Canal and River Trust investigated and found that there was a significant leakage though the culvert running below the canal at this point. Had the leaks been allowed to continue the result could have been a major breach of the canal into the River Hyndburn.

The canal was immediately closed and dams constructed so that the affected area could be de-watered.

The Canal and River Trust's further investigation found that unseen leakage through the canal bed has resulted in internal erosion of the embankment. This erosion has caused deep sink holes on the bed of the canal and had led to the embankment collapse.

The repair work will include stabilisation of the embankment, relining the canal bed and reconstruction of the towpath and wash wall. The work will cost around £300,000 and should be complete by the end of November.

A temporary access road has been created and a site compound and cabins installed.

This week the silt is being excavated and bog mats laid in the canal bed. The excavator will then be used to investigate and infill the sinks holes within the canal bed. Further updates will be issued in due course.

Boaters forced to overstay by the stoppage should notify the Canal and River Trust so that no enforcement action is taken.

Update Wednesday 23rd October:
It is expected that the canal will be re-opened for navigation on 21st November.


The original towpath collapse. Photo: Canal & River Trust


Dewatered site showing collapsed towpath opposite. Photo: Canal & River Trust


Dewatered site showing temporary dam. Photo: Canal & River Trust

Update Thursday 10th October:
The Canal and River Trust reports that its team has continued with works to excavate a large depth of silt from a 40m length of the canal bed, with the silt being taken off site.

Pumps are being installed to pump water past the site to feed the canal downstream of the affected area.

The sink holes in the canal bed have been excavated, revealing the leakage paths which are shown by bands and pockets of silt. The sink holes have been backfilled with clay and levelled. The full canal profile is now being got ready for re-lining. The culvert lining is being made in Germany and will be shipped towards the end of the construction works.

The Canal and River Trust anticipates that the area will be re-opened for mid-November.

Update Monday 25th November:
The canal has now re-opened to navigation at this location. The towpath remains closed, probably until Friday 29th November.

Rochdale stoppage near Littleborough

Boaters traversing the Rochdale Canal face a hold up after a boat lifted a lock gate on the Littleborough flight.

One of the head gates at Bent House Lock (No 46) has been lifted out of its pot and cannot be operated.
The Canal and River Trust plans to lift the gate back into position on Monday 23rd September. The canal will be closed at this location until this has been done.

Boats coming from Manchester should moor below Lock 48 at Littleborough.

If access is required for the Durn services and water point (Schofield Street), please contact Canal and River Trust on 07879 421 503.

Enquiries about this stoppage can be made on 07879 421 503.

Update Monday 23rd September, 5 pm:
The lock gate has now been fixed and navigation is open.


Bent House Lock on the Littleborough flight

Tree blocks Macclesfield Canal

The Macclesfield Canal is currently closed near Royal Oak Swing Bridge (Fool's Nook) after a large tree has fallen across the navigation.

The section of canal closed is between Lyme Green and Bosley Locks.

Contractors will be on site tomorrow (Friday 20th September) to remove the tree.


Macclesfield Canal between Lyme Green and Bosley

Two Day Closure on Aire and Calder

Whitley Lock on the Aire and Calder Navigation will be closed for two days next week - Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th September.

Contractors will be on site to carry out mechanical repairs to the hydraulics systems from 08.00am until 4.00pm daily. Passage through the lock will not be possible for the first 2 days of these works. After these two days there will be restrictions on the use of the lock.

Enquiries about this stoppage can be made to 0303 0404040.


Whitley Lock

One Day Huddersfield Narrow Stoppage

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal will be closed through Milnsbridge tomorrow (Thursday 19th September) as emergency repair work is carried out.

A leak has caused a large void to open up on the towpath/lock side area at the head of lock 8e at Spring Mill, Milnsbridge. As part of the repair works, the local Canal and River Trust team needs to lower the water level of the pound above the lock. This is to allow pointing works and stone work repairs to take place to the wash wall.

The stoppage will be for a full day, Thursday 19th September, and until 7.30am on Friday 20th September.

Mooring and winding are possible above lock 16e or below lock 1e.

Enquiries about this stoppage can be made on 03030 404040.


Lock 8e, Huddersfield Narrow Canal, Milnsbridge

One Day Rochdale Nine Stoppage

Boaters intending to use the "Rochdale Nine" flight of locks through Manchester should be aware that the locks will be closed tomorrow, Thursday 19th September, in order to remove debris at Lock 87 at the lower end of Canal Street.

Rubbish has built up behind both tail gates at lock 87 so that they will not open fully into the recesses. This is causing navigation problems for wider boats. The water level in the lock and the pound below will be significantly lowered to clear behind the gates.

The towpath will also be closed between lock 87 (Princess Street) and lock 88 (Oxford Street), please follow alternative route along Whitworth Street.

Boaters waiting to use the locks should moor below lock 92 at Castlefield Basin or above lock 84 at Piccadilly Basin.

This stoppage will affect boaters navigating the Cheshire Ring.


Lock 87, Rochdale Canal