Leeds and Liverpool Leak closes canal near Parbold

There was an emergency stoppage this morning on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Parbold and Burscough.

This was due to "a significant leak" at Deans Lane Aqueduct (37a) a mile west of Parbold village.

Contractors were due out on site this morning and BW will issue an update notice later today.

BW is advising boaters to wind below bridge 27a, Scarisbrick Bridge or above bridge 42, Appley Bridge.

Update:
The navigation has now been re-opened.
Presumably the contractors have deposited a layer of clay on the canal bed in the affected area. This swift re-opening is a happy contrast with a similar leak on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal which closed that canal recently for two weeks.

Today's leak near Parbold happened on a 27 mile long pound between Appley Bridge and Liverpool, so it could have become necessary to block off the canal on each side to prevent a major water loss had the repair not worked straight away.

Deans Lane Aqueduct is not from from where a major embankment breach occurred near Newburgh in July 2003.


Deans Lane Aqueduct, Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Meet the Bosses again

Following last year's "meet the people" tour by Robin Evans and other BW Directors a similar series of meetings is taking place in 2009.

BW is describing these as "customer meetings" and invites its "customers" to attend. These meetings are described as being "a good opportunity for you to ask questions and for British Waterways to explain its future direction and proposed 2020 strategy".

In the north, meetings with Directors Vince Moran and Caroline Killeavy will take place at the following locations -

Saturday 6th June:
• Tommy Hatton's Meeting Room, Guy's Thatched Hamlet, Bilsborrow, nr Preston, PR3 0RS. 10.00 - 11.30 am
• Thomas Bourne Room, Standedge Visitor Centre, Marsden, HD7 6NQ. 2.30 - 4.00 pm
(to attend, contact Denise Bradshaw on 01942 405793)

Saturday 11th July:
• BW Office Rooms 1+2, Fearns Wharf, Leeds, LS9 8PB. 10.30 am - 12.00 noon
(to attend, contact Linzi O'Neill on 0113 281 6861)

BW Re-organisation - Have Your Say!

It was reported here in April that British Waterways was proposing to restructure its operations in England and Wales.

BW is asking for comments on this restructuring. Submissions to this consultation are invited up until 6th July 2009.

A pdf document "Consultation Document on Proposed New BW Boundaries" can be found here. This includes a Response Form for your thoughts. The form only concerns itself with boundary points between the areas and the names of the new areas. However, it invites you to append any other comments on a separate sheet.

If you would like to respond online, you can download a Word version of the Response Form, which can be returned as an email attachment to boundaryconsultation@britishwaterways.co.uk


Extract from BW map of proposed new units

For the area covered by Pennine Waterways website, the proposed changes would result in smaller North West and Yorkshire units, based at the existing Wigan and Leeds offices, and a new Peak and Pennine unit, which could include the Huddersfield Narrow, Rochdale and Peak Forest Canals, based at Northwich (see map extract).

BW says that the 11 proposed waterway units, to take effect from October 2009, will deliver improved levels of efficiency and customer service. In the revised structure, certain functions which fall outside of day-to-day maintenance, such as managing moorings, developing partnerships and carrying out major engineering projects, will be undertaken by specialist centralised teams.

BW's Simon Salem comments: "Each waterway unit is intended to be similar in length and with a similar number of physical structures. Beyond that, optimising water control and supply has been a major factor influencing proposed boundaries and we've also tried to reflect local authority and regional development agency administrative areas."

"The aim of the restructure is to achieve greater operating efficiency and, although boundaries between one waterway unit and another should be seamless, boat owners and boating trade customers in particular may wish to have a say in the final boundary decisions. This includes whether the locations of the boundaries are appropriate, plus any suggestions for the naming of particular waterway groupings."

More information about BW's proposals can be found on its website, here: www.britishwaterways.co.uk/twentytwenty.
The document "Twenty Twenty - a Vision for for the Future of our Canals and Rivers" can be downloaded here.

A short report will be published following the consultation summarising the feedback received and any changes to the boundaries made as a result.

Wakefield Problem

There are reports of a problem at Wakefield Flood Lock on the Calder and Hebble Navigation.

The gates are apparently damaged and are currently shut, with no boats being allowed through.

The gates on Wakefield Flood Lock are normally left open but they are closed when water levels rise on the river to prevent flooding of the area alongside the lock cut.

Update 18th May:
It is reported that boats are getting through the flood lock today, but engineers are on site and there may be some delays.

More information will be posted when known.


Wakefield Flood Lock.

Hold-up on Rochdale Nine

An emergency stoppage has been announced today on the "Rochdale Nine" locks through the centre of Manchester.

This is because a cill has been damaged at Lock 88 (Oxford Street Lock).

The wooden cill blocks form a watertight seal when the gates are closed. It is possible that one of the cill blocks has been struck by a boat entering or leaving the lock while the level of the pound was too low. If the cill block is damaged or dislodged, there is no watertight seal and it becomes very difficult to fill (or empty) the lock.

For the latest information about this stoppage, contact BW on 01942 405 700.

Update 18th May:
Repairs have been carried out and the stoppage has now been lifted.


Lock 88 on the Rochdale Canal.

Huddersfield Narrow re-opens

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal has been re-opened between Slaithwaite and Marsden.

This section of canal had been closed since 27th April following a "severe leak" into the culvert under the canal near Sandhill Cottages and Cellars Clough Mill, between Locks 31e and 32e.

Early repair attempts by British Waterways staff had not been successful and the leak continued. However, further efforts to plug the leak were made last Friday and the repair appears to have been successful. Two boats were allowed through the affected pound on Saturday and the stoppage notice has now been lifted.

Boaters intending to use this part of the canal or booked through Standedge Tunnel should contact the Tunnel Office on 01484 840629 to confirm their booking.


The Huddersfield Canal at Sandhill Cottages, showing the hole dug by BW last week to investigate the leak.

Huddersfield Narrow repairs continue

Repairs are continuing on the leaking curvert on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal between Slaithwaite and Marsden.

This section of canal has been closed since 27th April following a "severe leak" into the culvert under the canal near Sandhill Cottages and Cellars Clough Mill, between Locks 31e and 32e.

Previous repair attempts by British Waterways staff have not been successful and the leak continues. Further efforts to plug the leak will continue over the weekend, followed by tests to see whether or not the leak has been cured.

Boats travelling from Huddersfield may not proceed beyond Lock 23e in Slaithwaite.

Boaters intending to use this part of the canal or booked through Standedge Tunnel should contact the Tunnel Office on 01484 840629 for advice.

A further update is expected on Thursday 14th May.

The Huddersfield Canal at Sandhill Cottages, showing the hole dug by BW to investigate the leak.

The culvert into which the water is leaking. The white railings are along the canal edge.

Salterhebble Lock Nearly Ready

Normal service could soon be resumed at Salterhebble Guillotine Lock now that repairs are almost complete.

Electrical problems occurred with Salterhebble Lock in May 2008 and since then the guillotine has been manually operated by BW staff at certain times each day.

The new operating system (gear box and power transmission) has been installed and construction of the equipment platform has been completed. A period of testing now has to be carried out. Safety guards and anti-vandal measures also need to be put in place. So, for the next week, boats will be continue to be assisted by a lock keeper during the restricted hours that have been in operation:
• 9.00 am - 10.00 am daily
• 12.00 noon - 2.00 pm daily
• 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm daily

Ashton Canal could re-open 14th May

Repairs to Lock 8 of the Ashton Canal at Clayton got under way today after a series of delays. British Waterways have said that the work should be completed next week and hope to have the canal re-opened on Thursday 14th May.

The closure follows an incident on 21st April in which heavy duty wire becoming entangled in a lock gate. The cable, which had come from the adjacent Clayton Anoline demolition site, became wrapped around part of a tail gate, preventing the gate from being operated.

Following investigation it was discovered that "significant damage" had been caused to the tail gate and lower cill. Repairs required a full dewatering of the long pound between Locks 7 and 8. This meant BW had to obtain consent from the Environment Agency to carry out a fish rescue.

Once the pound was dewatered, it was apparent that "significant repairs" were required to the tail gate cills and lock floor. As this is a listed structure, consent had to be obtained from Manchester City Council's Conservation Officer.

This stoppage affects boaters travelling around the Cheshire Ring and the South Pennine Ring.

BW staff setting up pumps to drain water from the bottom of the lock so that they can carry out repairs.

Examples of the wire cable that had caused the damage to the lock. The house bricks give an idea of the thickness of the wire strands.

Huddersfield Narrow stays shut

Boaters waiting for the Huddersfield Narrow Canal to re-open between Slaithwaite and Marsden have even longer to wait.

This section of canal has been closed since 27th Aoril following a "severe leak" into a culvert under the canal near Sandhill Cottages and Cellars Clough Mill, between Locks 31e and 32e.

British Waterways staff had worked through the weekend hoping to complete the repairs by Sunday night. Unfortunately the repairs were not successful and the leak continues.

A further update will be issued on Friday 8th May. Boats travelling from Huddersfield may not proceed beyond Lock 23e in Slaithwaite.

Boaters intending to use this part of the canal or booked through Standedge Tunnel should contact the Tunnel Office on 01484 840629 for advice.

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal at Cellars Clough

There will be a stoppage on the western part of the canal on May 20th and 21st, when the canal and towpath will be closed between Locks 7e and 8e to allow contractors to work on the pylon which straddles the canal.

Upper Peak Forest Bridge Restriction

Carr Swing Bridge (no. 30) on the Upper Peak Forest Canal has been struck by a boat, sustaining "significant damage".

As a result, British Waterways Staff will be on site daily between the hours of 9.00 am and 5.00 pm to operate the bridge.

The bridge will be locked outside these hours.

For the latest information about this restriction, contact BW on 01942 405 700.

The bridge is a fairly new one, replacing an older swing bridge that was notoriously difficult to operate.

Ashton Canal stays shut

The Ashton Canal remains closed following an incident ten days ago in which heavy duty wire becoming entangled in a lock gate.

On 21st April a problem was reported after a length of heavy duty cable became wrapped around part of a tail gate, preventing the gate from being operated.

Following investigation it was discovered that "significant damage" had been caused to the tail gate and lower cill. Repairs required a full dewatering of the long pound between Locks 7 and 8. This meant BW had to obtain consent from the Environment Agency to carry out a fish rescue.

Once the pound was dewatered, it was apparent that "significant repairs" were required to the tail gate cills and lock floor. As this is a listed structure, consent had to be obtained from Manchester City Council's Conservation Officer.

Repairs to thetail gate cills and lock floor will now start early next week.

BW will issue a further update on Thursday 7th May.

This stoppage will affect boaters travelling around the Cheshire Ring and the South Pennine Ring.

Leeds and Liverpool Canal may run short of water

British Waterways has announced lock restrictions, warning that the Leeds and Liverpool Canal could run short of water later in the year.

BW reports that, following an exceptionally dry start to the year, they have needed to extract water from their reservoirs to feed some canals earlier in the season than normal. As a result, the reservoirs supplying the summit of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal all have holdings below their long term average for this time of year.

BW warns that there is a moderate to significant risk that the reservoirs supplying the Leeds and Liverpool Canal will not have sufficient water to supply the canal throughout the boating season.

In order to reduce this risk and keep the remaining water available for as long as possible, BW is introducing restrictions in opening times of locks on the central part of the canal.

These locks will only be open for navigation between 10.00 am and 6.00 pm until further notice.

The locks affected are Lock 30 (Holme Bridge) to Lock 51 (Barrowford). This includes all the locks of the Barrowford, Greenberfield, Bank Newton and Gargrave flights.

Holme Bridge Lock, Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Huddersfield Narrow should re-open Monday

Boaters waiting for the Huddersfield Narrow Canal to re-open between Slaithwaite and Marsden should be able to get moving again on Monday.

This section of canal has been closed following a "severe leak" into a culvert under the canal near Sandhill Cottages and Cellars Clough Mill, between Locks 31e and 32e.

British Waterways staff are to work through the weekend and the repairs are expected to be finished by Sunday night, with navigation re-opening on Monday morning.

Boaters intending to use this part of the canal are advised to contact the Tunnel Office on 01484 840629 to confirm whether the canal has re-opened.

The historic horsedrawn boat Maria has remained at Marsden this week, as it was not possible to proceed with the planned return journey to Huddersfield. On Sunday May 3rd, Maria will be legged back through Standedge Tunnel by members of the Horseboating Society, starting at 1.00 pm, on her way back to Ashton.

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal at Cellars Clough