[For News from January 2010 onwards, see Pennine Waterways News Blog]

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April 30th 2009

A 3 ft 6 in high "safety fence" is to be erected alongside Canal Street in Manchester, next to the stone wall between the street and the canal. The fence will have stainless steel posts alongside the wall, curving to support a stainless steel rail above the wall, with the space between wall and rail filled by reinforced glass panels.

This follows a recommendation for improved safety measures by a coroner after the death of a man who had climbed down from the wall to rescue his stepson who had fallen into the canal. His stepson eventually climbed out of the water by himself.

The proposals for the fence, which will cost more than £200,000 to build, will be put to the city's planning committee shortly.

If the plan is approved, the fence will change the appearance of the historic canalside location. Unusually for a canal, the street itself forms part of the towpath. The wall betwen the street and canal is around 2 ft 6 in high, so as not to obstruct towing ropes, although it is lower in some parts.

The fence would make it more difficult for boats to be horse-drawn or hand-hauled along this section of the Rochdale Canal. The photo below shows that horse-drawn boats do occasionally use the canal and also demonstrates why the wall needed to be that height. It is already difficult to tow a boat by horse at Canal Street because of a number of obstructions. The additional height of the fence rail would obstruct the towing rope and make it more difficult to get sufficient pull in the short distances available.

Although the need for safety is understood, many canal users are unhappy with the proposed fence, fearing it will be detrimental to the important and unique heritage value of Canal Street.

The design of the proposed fence can be seen here. Other documents relating to the proposals can be viewed here. Comments can be submitted here on the council's planning website. The public consultation period ends on 15th May.

Update:

Another point to be considered, which will affect most boaters, is that the access to Lock 86 for people operating the lock is by climbing over the wall and using the steps carved into a stone block alongside the lock.

The proposed fence would make it nearly impossible and certainly dangerous to climb over at this point.

The council seems to be unaware that this is the means of access to the lock, as its "Design Statement" incorrectly states "There are no access points to any of these landing stages from Canal Street".

Update:
Due to error, notices have been re-issued and a new deadline for responses is 19th June. The report that was to be presented to members of the planning committee can be seen here.

Please see the expanded and updated article about the Canal Street fence application.

April 29th 2008

British Waterways has today launched proposals for its future, entitled "Twenty Twenty - a Vision for for the Future of our Canals and Rivers".

This is the result of a major strategic review that has taken place and follows the government's decision to allow BW to retain its successful property portfolio.

The plans include increasing efficiencies, opening up new funding and partnership opportunities, creating closer links with local communities and the start a move towards the waterways achieving a 'third sector' trust or charitable status similar to that of the National Trust.

As a first step towards greater efficiency, BW proposes a restructure of its own operations in England and Wales, by removing an entire layer of management and creating eleven new, smaller, 'hands-on' waterway units. The move would make around 100 office staff redundant, but the £10 million annual saving would be redirected towards waterway maintenance.

Under the new structure, BW would put a greater emphasis on working with volunteers and local communities.

BW Chief Executive, Robin Evans, said: "Our absolute priority must be to maintain investment in the waterways and this means reducing spending elsewhere. Our proposed new structure will both redirect important funding to essential maintenance work but also make us much more responsive to customers and partners."

In the longer term, BW calls for some fresh thinking about what the waterways mean to Britain and how their sustainable future might be secured. It proposes that, by 2020, it should become a third sector 'public interest company' or trust. BW believes that such a change could stimulate greater participation in the waterways by volunteers and other individuals, enhance openness and accountability for communities and waterway users, create opportunities for new sources of income such as grants and donations, and ensure the historic network is held in trust for the nation.

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.

Pennine Waterways comment:
While a Peak and Pennine unit sounds like a good idea, basing its offices at Northwich seems ludicrous! If the aim is for the unit to be more in touch and responsive, running it from the extreme western edge of the area will not achieve that. For example, Standedge Tunnel is closer to both Wigan and Leeds. It can certainly be argued that the present areas are too large - I was told by a boater who phoned Wigan to report a problem with a lock on the Ashton Canal that the person on the other end said "There's already somebody on their way - it's at Marple, isn't it?" An office at Northwich will not stop that sort of thing happening. Somewhere between Manchester and Marple would be more appropriate!

BW says that the exact boundaries of the new units are to be subject of consultation, so perhaps their office locations are, too?

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.

What do you think? Add your own comment on the PW news blog.

April 29th 2009

Trouble-hit Salterhebble Guillotine Lock is to re-open to navigation on Friday 1st May, but with the same limited opening hours that were in operation before the attempted repair.

From 1st May, the Guillotine Lock will be operated by BW staff during the following periods only:
 • 9.00 am - 10.00 am daily
 • 12.00 noon - 2.00 pm daily
 • 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm daily

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 lock ahas been closed for the last week and, although it was hoped repairs would have been complete by 24th April, unforseen problems mean that the guillotine will still have to be operated by BW staff.

BW will issue a further update on Friday 8th May.

For enquiries about Salterhebble Guillotine Lock, contact British Waterways on 0113 281 6860.

April 28th 2008

There are to be two 4-hour stoppages at Plank Lane Lift Bridge on the Leigh Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

The bridge will be out of action on:
 • Wed 29th April, 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
 • Thur 30th April, 10.00 am to 2.00 pm

Anyone needing more information should contact BW on 01942 405 700.

April 27th 2009

Boaters on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal face an unwelcome hold-up this week as British Waterways plug a leaking culvert.

There was what BW describe as "a severe leak" into a culvert that passes below the canal near Sandhill Cottages and Cellars Clough Mill, between Locks 31e and 32e. BW staff have put several loads of clay into the hole but the leak continues. They will probably need to de-water the pound to make an effective repair. It is hoped that boats can be moving again by the end of the week.

Because the winding hole at Booth is on the affected pound, BW are advising boaters that there is no passage beyond the winding hole below Lock 22e in Slaithwaite.

The Horseboating Society was intending to take a horsedrawn boat down from Marsden to Huddersfield and back this week, but this part of their journey has been called off and the historic horsedrawn boat Maria will stay at Marsden until Sunday, when she is scheduled to be legged back through Standedge Tunnel on her way back to Ashton.

Boaters hoping to travel along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal should contact BW on 0113 281 6860 for the latest information.

It is understood that the western part of the Huddersfield Narrow is to be closed below Lock 8w on May 1st and May 20th to enable BW to erect and remove scaffolding, so that they can work on the pylon that straddles the canal. More details when a stoppage notice is received.

April 24th 2009 updated 27th April

Salterhebble Guillotine Lock should have been closed for a couple of days this week to enable the electrical mechanism to be repaired. However, unforeseen circumstances have delayed the completion of this repair and the lock will remain closed until at least Thursday afternoon.

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. It had been hoped that the repair would have been complete by 24th April but the stoppage will continue until at least Thursday 31st April

BW will issue a further update on Thursday 31st April.

For enquiries about Salterhebble Guillotine Lock, contact British Waterways on 0113 281 6860.

April 23rd 2009 updated April 28th

The Ashton Canal is currently closed following heavy duty wire becoming entangled in a lock gate.

On Tuesday 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 has been discovered that "significant damage" has been caused to the tail gate and lower cill. Repairs will require a full dewatering of the pound between Locks 7 and 8 (a long pound, unfortunately).

BW is awaiting consent from the Environment Agency to carry out a fish rescue, so the canal is likely to remain closed for the next few days.

Update 28th April:
"Following on from the de-watering and fish rescue, significant repairs are required to the tail gate cills and lock floor. As this is a listed structure, consent will be required by Manchester City Council's Conservation Officer before any significant undertakings can be implemented."

BW will issue a further update on Friday 1st May.

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

April 22nd 2009

Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre will be hosting a variety of events and activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy as part of this year's Cuckoo Festival.

The Cuckoo Festival, held on Saturday 25th April this year, celebrates the first arrival of the Cuckoo and the beginning of Spring. It is a popular local festival and a major highlight in the Marsden event calendar. The cuckoo heralded the start of the warmer weather and legend has it that the people of Marsden built a huge wall to try to prolong the cuckoo's visit!

Activities on the day, starting at 10.00 am, include pond dipping, canal craft sessions, face painting, clog dancing and Morris dancing. There will be guided nature and heritage walks, organised by British Waterways and the Huddersfield Canal Society, starting from the Station car park at 11.00 am.

The day finishes with a fun and lively evening's entertainment at Marsden Mechanics Hall.

In addition, members of The Horseboating Society will be re-enacting the historic practice of legging through Standedge Tunnel. On board will be special guest Ronnie Barnes, aged 90, who is the last surviving Standedge Tunnel 'legger'. He will be travelling through the tunnel on the traditional horseboat Maria, built in 1854. The boat is expected to exit the tunnel at Tunnel End at around 4.00 pm.

Meanwhile Bilbo the Boathorse, having hauled the boat up from Ashton, will walk over the top, as did the boathorses of old. The crew will start legging Maria from the Diggle end at around 1.00 pm. Energetic members of the public are welcome to walk over the top with Bilbo, arriving at Tunnel End at around 3.00 pm.

Look out for Maria being horse-drawn down to Huddersfield and then back to Marsden in the following week. The boat will be legged back through Standedge Tunnel on Sunday May 3rd, starting at around 1.00 pm. Details of the journey are on www.horseboating.org.uk.

April 22nd 2009

Pennine Waterways website now has a new "Virtual Journey" along the recently-opened Liverpool Canal Link.

The series of photographs takes you from Stanley Dock through to Salthouse Dock by way of the two new locks and three new tunnels.

You can see locations in a way that can only be seen from a boat.

The Virtual Journey along the Liverpool Canal Link starts here.

The Virtual Journey along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal from Wigan to Liverpool has been completely revised, with over 200 new photos. You can see that here.

Information of help to boaters wishing to travel along the Link can be found here.

April 20th 2009

Today was the first day of routine operation for the Liverpool Canal Link.

A few weeks ago a convoy of boats passed through the link in a flurry of publicity as part of the official opening of the link. However, there was still some finishing-off to be done before the link could be opened up for daily use.

That daily use started today, with four narrowboats and one wide beamed boat travelling down from Eldonian Village, where they had moored overnight, down the four locks of the Stanley Dock branch, through Stanley, Collingwood and Salisbury Docks, then through Trafalgar, East Waterloo and Princes Dock, through a new lock and tunnel to the much-photographed section across the Pier Head.

The boats then passed through a new lock into Canning Dock, before travelling through the famous Albert Dock to reach the new mooring pontoons in Salthouse Dock.

Up to six boats a day (7 days a week) will travel down into Salthouse Dock. As boats may stay there for up to 14 days, it is expected that the new floating mooring pontoons will fill up, which is one reason for there being a limit of six boats a day.

More information about how the movement of boats into Liverpool will operate can be read here. Anyone wanting to take a boat to Liverpool needs to phone BW in Wigan (01942 405700) to book a date for their passage and to book a mooring space.

A brand new Virtual Journey along along the Liverpool Canal Link will appear on this website in a few days. At the same time the Virtual Journey between Wigan and Liverpool will be completely revised with new and better photos. Please come back to view these!

April 19th 2009

The charges for boats using Pomona Lock, off the Bridgewater Canal, has now increased to £21 a boat.

Boats returning through the lock on the same day will only be charged a single fee. The charge will not apply to Bridgewater Canal licence holders.

Pomona Lock connects the Manchester arm of the Bridgewater Canal with Pomona Lock, the Upper Reaches of the River Irwell, Salford Quays and the Manchester Ship Canal. Boaters wishing to reach the newly re-opened Middlewood Locks section of the Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal need to use Pomona Lock.

April 16th 2009

Just over a week after the Lower Peak Forest Canal came back into service after a month-long stoppage, there was another problem today.

The high winds of the last couple of days brought down a tree between bridges 9 and 10, between Woodley Tunnel and Hyde.

Contractors were sent to the site this afternoon and the blockage was removed by tea time.

The navigation has now re-opened.

In previous years there have been a series of trees blowing down at various locations around the region and sometimes they are not cleared as swiftly as this. The possibility of this happening, especially during windy periods, should be borne in mind by boaters planning a tight schedule for their journey!

April 7th 2009

Marple Locks and the Lower Peak Forest Canal are to re-open to navigation today, Tuesday 7th April.

The canal between Dukinfield and Marple has been closed for the last month following an oil pollution incident, which is believed to have originated from a site in Hyde, when an underground storage tank was ruptured.

Although some oil was visible on the surface, much of the heavy lubricating oil has sunk to the canal bed.

British Waterways' staff will continue to monitor the canal during the first few days of reopening to ensure that no significant quantities of residual oil are disturbed.

There have been no reports of any dead fish on that section of canal although the RSPCA were called out to deal with ducks and geese who had to have their feathers cleaned.

Navigation of the Cheshire Ring circular canal route is now once again possible.

See photographs of canal during closure.

April 4th 2009

Standedge Tunnel Visitor Centre opens its doors for 2009 this weekend. The popular passenger trips into the tunnel also begin again today (4th April).

New this year are trips right through the tunnel for passengers on the first Saturday of every month. The 3 hour trip is good value at £10! Places must be booked by phoning 01484 844298.

The tunnel opened for the 2009 season for the passage of private boats last week. A new system whereby boats are steered through under their own power by their own skippers (rather than be towed by electric tugs) came into effect. Reports suggest that this has gone well so far.

Each boat carries a BW "chaperone" to ensure safety and to give advice on navigation difficult sections of the tunnel.

For full details of the new arrangements for taking boats through the tunnel see this item that was published in February.

For more information about the tunnel trips or visitor centre, including times and days of opening, please refer to the Standedge web site. That site also gives information for boaters wanting to take their own boats through.

28th March 2009

Earlier this month it was reported that the stoppage on the Macclesfield Canal for the repair of the wall collapse had been lifted earlier than expected.

Although navigation has now been restored, the towpath will remain closed, as the re-building of the wall is still under way.

As can be seen in the latest photo from Debby Francis, the repair is a major task.

The massive slab of retaining wall that collapsed onto the towpath a year ago has now been removed, with stones being kept for re-use.

A substantial concrete wall has been constructed, which has been back-filled.

A stone facing is now being added using reclaimed stone and lime mortar to match the original structure as far as possible. As can be seen in the photo, the concrete wall, which will be hidden, will take all the weight of the access road that will run above it and of the hillside behind.

March 27th 2009

The mechanical problem with Salterhebble Guillotine Lock on the Calder and Hebble Navigation which happened in May 2008, has still not been resolved. The guillotine gate is still having to be manually operated by BW staff.

From 30th March, the Guillotine Lock will be operated by BW staff during the following periods only:
 • 9.00 am - 10.00 am daily
 • 12.00 noon - 2.00 pm daily
 • 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm daily

(Before 30th March the lock will only be operated between 12.00 noon and 1.00 pm daily.)

For enquiries about Salterhebble Guillotine Lock, contact British Waterways on 0113 281 6860.

March 26th 2009

The temporary repair of Cooper Bridge Weir on the Calder and Hebble Navigation has been completed a few days earlier than expected.

The river has filled up quickly behind the repaired weir and the navigation has now been re-opened.

This means that boaters trapped for weeks on the Calder and Hebble Navigation will be able to leave their moorings. Access has also been restored to the Huddersfield Broad Canal, which leaves the Calder and Hebble immediately above Cooper Bridge Weir.

BW have said that the repair will be a short term solution to get the navigation re-opened and that a permanent solution which will be carried out as part of the stoppage programme in 2011.

March 25th 2009

In what was intended to be a low-key ceremony, the Liverpool Canal Link was officially opened today in front of huge crowds at the Pier Head.

Mayor of Liverpool Steve Rotheram, with other invited guests, travelled along the Link from Princes Dock aboard the Pride of Sefton. The boat emerged from the tunnel at the Pier Head to loud cheers.

British Waterways Chairman Tony Hales thanks the crowd for coming and praises the successful efforts of the various parties that have worked together to ensure the creation of the link. The Mayor of Liverpool, Steve Rotheram, then said that the Pier Head was now a must-see destination.

The actual opening was carried out by a group of children from New Park Primary School, who unveiled a plaque.

The Pride of Sefton then continued into the final tunnel towards Mann Island Lock and Canning Dock.

It passed through the new lock at Mann Island and entered Canning Dock. After travelling through the famous Albert Dock, it moored up in Salthouse Dock for the guests to disembark. It was joined by the flotilla of boats that had travelled down into Liverpool for the opening.

The Link will not open for boaters properly until April 20th. More information for boaters considering coming to Liverpool can be found here.

Larger versions of these photos, along with others, can be found on this new page.

A BBC news report and video on the opening event can be seen here.

Larger versions of these photos, along with others, can be found on this new page.

March 22nd 2009   updated 24th March

British Waterways and their contractors have started work this week on the repair of Cooper Bridge Weir on the Calder and Hebble Navigation.

Large stones have been dropped into the space between the weir and a line of sheet piles to create an access route for vehicles to reach the location of the collapsed section of weir.

It can be seen in the photos shown in January and February that the sheet piling was already in place next to the weir at the time of the collapse. This suggests that a repair to an earlier partial failure of the weir was planned.

BW have said that the repair will be a short term solution to get the navigation re-opened and that a permanent solution which will be carried out as part of the stoppage programme in 2011.

The very low level of water above the weir not only makes the Calder and Hebble unnavigable but also prevents access to or from the Huddersfield Broad Canal, which branches off immediately above the weir.

British Waterways hopes that the work can be completed by March 31st 2009.

Update, 24th March: Stoppage continues.
Work is progressing well. Completion of works now estimated to be 29th March. However, because of large volume of water required to refill empty river section, a review will be undertaken Monday 30th March to determine when safe passage will be possible.

BW will issue a further update on 30th March.

March 21st 2009

Details are emerging of the arrangements that British Waterways is making for boats visiting Liverpool by way of the new canal link which opens shortly.

An announcement is expected in a few days about the date when boaters will be allowed to start using the new canal route. BW wants to ensure that facilities such as water points are available before boats arrive at the new pontoons in Salthouse Dock.

An important point for a boaters hoping to take their boats to Liverpool to know is that they must contact BW's Wigan office (01942 405700) to book a passage along the canal into Liverpool and to book a place on the mooring pontoons in Salthouse Dock. At the present time there are 150 boats on the waiting list so it is essential that anyone hoping to go to Liverpool gets onto this list.

There will be a change in the arrangements for the assisted passage into Liverpool. Boats had previously waited at Bridge 16 in Maghull for BW staff to operate 7 swing bridges. From this year boaters will operate 5 of these bridges themselves and will now wait for their assisted passage at Bridge 9 (Wango Lane). BW staff will now only operate the two very busy swing bridges at Wango Lane and Netherton.

The passage into Liverpool will be in two stages and boats will be required to moor overnight at Eldonian Village (the end of the canal's main line). The next day BW staff will assist boats down the 4 locks of the Stanley Dock Branch and the two new locks at Princes Dock and Mann Island.

Boats travelling back up from Liverpool will also be assisted through the locks, moor overnight at Eldonian village and be assisted through the two swing bridges.

The assisted passages will operate 7 days a week.

Only six boats a day in each direction will be allowed through the assisted sections. The main limiting factor will be the number of berths available on the mooring pontoons. If more boats were allowed through each day there would not be enough moorings available.

Boats will be able to moor at Salthouse Dock for up to 14 days. Water and electricity will be available on the pontoons. There will be no mooring charge.

Special arrangements have been made with the Bridgewater Canal Company that will allow Bridgewater licensed boats an extension in the time they are allowed onto BW waters to enable them to take full advantage of the new moorings.

The moorings in Salthouse Dock are extremely convenient, with Paradise Street bus station just a couple of minutes walk away across the main road. John Lewis and the new Liverpool One shopping area are only 5 minutes or so walk. The nearby Albert Dock is home to the Tate Gallery, the Beatles Story, the Maritime Museum and a number of shops and eating places. The new Liverpool Museum at Mann Island opens in 2010.

Boaters phoning Wigan to book a journey to Liverpool will be sent a skipper's guide containing all the necessary information.

If you are thinking about approaching Liverpool from the Ship Canal and Eastham Lock you MUST phone BW's Wigan office (01942 405700) to book a mooring in Salthouse Dock. If you do not do this you may have to pay for a mooring in Liverpool Marina, which charges by the foot, making it expensive for narrowboats! Entry from the River Mersey is via Brunswick Dock. You need to telephone Liverpool Marina to arrange this and there is a charge for using the lock. Boats using the Ship Canal must meet their very strict requirements.

The arrangements outlined above are for the way the Canal Link will operate this year. BW will monitor the way things work and assess whether any modifications should be made in future.

March 18th 2009   updated 20th March, updated 27th March

The Lower Peak Forest Canal remains closed this week as efforts to clear up oil pollution continue.

British Waterways and Environment Agency staff were called to the canal last Friday when a large area of oil pollution was spotted north of Manchester Road Bridge (6), close to where a factory is being demolished. It is reported that an underground tank storing heavy lubricating oil may have ruptured, although this has not been confirmed.

BW immediately closed the section of canal between bridges 4 and 6 so that boats would not spread the pollution. However, the flow on the canal from the locks at Marple caused oil to move downstream towards Ashton.

BW then closed Marple locks to reduce water movement along the Lower Peak Forest Canal and placed a number of booms across the canal at bridge holes to help contain the pollution.

Some of the oil has dispersed downstream and there is still a thin film of oil visible in places, particularly near the booms across the canal.

British Waterways is advising that the clear-up could take a substantial period of time. A further update will be issued once there a clear indication when the navigation can be re-opened.

Update, 20th March: Stoppage continues.
Clearance is currently under way. There is little visible sign of the pollution now except a thin film of oil on the surface in places. However, much of the heavy lubricating oil has now sunk to the bottom of the canal. There have been no reports of any dead fish on that section of canal although the RSPCA were called out to deal with ducks and geese who had to have their feathers cleaned.

Update, 27th March: Stoppage continues.
The Lower Peak Forest Canal and Marple Locks remain closed. However, the containment boom at Portland Basin (pictured below, right) has now been removed. This means that boats on the Ashton Canal can now access Portland Basin Marina. The booms at Stanley Lift Bridge (below, left) remain in place.

This stoppage affects boaters intending to navigate the Cheshire Ring.

BW will issue a further update on 6th April.

March 18th 2009

The Stainforth and Keadby Canal (South Yorkshire Navigation) has been closed for the last two weeks between Mauds Swingbridge and Crowle due to a very dense mat of weed. A BW team has been brought in and has spent the last week or so removing the weed.

The clearance was almost complete and BW had announced that the canal would be re-opened on Thursday 18th March.

Unfortunately some impatient boaters disregarded the stoppage notice and passed through the affected section of canal on Wednesday morning, widely dispersing the remaining weed.

This has added another two days work to the clearance operation and the canal will not now be re-opened until some time on Friday afternoon (19th March).

March 11th 2009

The whole of the Lower Peak Forest Canal is now closed to navigation following the "pollution incident" last week near the M67 motorway tunnel.

The canal was initially closed to navigation between Dunkirk Lane Bridge (4) and Manchester Road Bridge (6), in order to restrict the effects of the pollution. However, due to the extent of the oil slick and impact on the environment, the stoppage has now been extended from Stanley Lift Bridge (1) in Dukinfield, to Marple Top Lock.

The locks have been closed to minimise water movement on the lower section of the canal.

A contractor is expected to begin work today on the clearing up required. British Waterways is advising that this could take a substantial period of time.

BW will issue a further update once there a clear indication when the navigation can be re-opened.

Part of the Rochdale Canal was closed for several weeks last summer following an incident involving dumped pesticide, which killed large quantities of fish and plant life.

For more information about additional or extended stoppages, please see the Stoppages page.

March 11th 2009

Only two days ago it was reported that work on Ledgard Flood Lock, on the Calder and Hebble Navigation, was on time and scheduled to finish at the end of this week.

Now, due to the unforeseen circumstances of vandalism and a delay in getting the road closure needed for positioning the crane, the new lock gates will be installed later than expected.

The stoppage has been extended for a week and work is now expected to be completed by 20th March.

Shepley Bridge Lock will remain closed until then to preserve the water level in the lock cut between Ledgard and Shepley Bridge, where the Mirfield moorings are situated. Moorers of South Pennine Boat Club at Battyeford Lock are also stranded, as they are located between the stoppages at Ledgard and Cooper Bridge.

10th March 2009

While some stoppages elsewhere are being extended as new problems come to light, there is good news for boaters based on the Macclesfield Canal.

The stoppage just south of Macclesfield has been lifted a week early, as work has been progressing ahead of plan. The stoppage was not scheduled to be lifted until 13th March but the early completion means that the canal is already open.

The towpath will remain closed, however, as some finishing off remains to be done.

The massive slab of retaining wall collapsed onto the towpath a year ago but the navigation remained open until work began in the winter.

In January a crane sited on the opposite side of the canal was used to lift out 6 vehicles that had been trapped because their access road had collapsed with the wall.

The wall was rebuilt using reclaimed stone and lime mortar to match the original structure as far as possible.

March 9th 2009

Stoppages abound on the Calder and Hebble Navigation at the moment, keeping many boats restricted to their moorings for now.

Ledgard Stop Lock at the western end of Mirfield Cut is having its gates replaced along with general repairs. The gates of Shepley Bridge Lock, at the other end of the cut, have had to be locked in order to retain the water and keep the boats moored along the cut afloat!

Mike Fretwell, Mooring Officer of the South Pennine Boat Club, based at Mirfield, took this photo today.

The new gates are due to be fitted tomorrow. If everything goes according to plan, the navigation is scheduled to reopen at the end of the week (13th March).

Meanwhile, boaters around Brighouse who were hoping to start travelling at the weekend are in for a disappointment - the stoppage at Ganny Lock (just up from Brighouse on the Calder and Hebble) has been extended for another week.

While carrying out the long-needed lock gate replacement at Ganny Lock, BW staff have discovered unforeseen problems which make it essential that major repairs are carried out to the lock floor and alterations made to the lock gates before fitting can be completed.

The lock is now scheduled to re-open on March 20th 2009.

Meanwhile, as announced previously, work is due to start on the repairs of the flood-damaged Cooper Bridge Weir tomorrow (10th March).

March 6th 2009 updated 9th March

A "pollution incident" has affected a section of the Peak Forest Canal in Hyde.

The canal has been closed to navigation between Dunkirk Lane Bridge (4) and Manchester Road Bridge (6), in order to restrict the effects of the pollution. This is the section that includes the M67 tunnel.

British Waterways will issue an update on Monday 9th March.

For more information about additional or extended stoppages, please see the Stoppages page.

Update, 9th March: Stoppage continues.
The source of the pollution has now been identified and British Waterways and the Environment Agency are currently working together to enable the navigation to be re-opened. A contractor is being brought in to carry out the significant clear up works that are required at this location.

BW will issue a further update once there a clear indication when the navigation can be re-opened.

March 5th 2009

Work to repair the collapsed weir at Cooper Bridge on the Calder and Hebble Navigation is to get under way next Tuesday, on 10th March 2009.

British Waterways hopes that the work can be completed by March 31st 2009.

A stone access road will firstly be built to allow vehicles to reach the weir. This means that the breach (see photo) can be filled with large stone to form a short-term repair.

"We are going to be working on a design for a long term permanent solution which will be carried out as part of the stoppage programme in 2011," explained David Crane of British Waterways. "This will give us time to assess all suitable options and mean we can build the works into future budgets."

He added that they would be working seven days a week to complete the work as quickly as possible, but warned that this would be subject to river conditions, which can significantly affect BW's ability to carry out the works.

A BW team from the East Midlands is being drafted in to work with their Yorkshire colleagues and an experienced contractor in order to carry out the work in the desired time.

The Calder and Hebble is particularly prone to dramatic changes in level and flash flooding. It was flash flooding in January, when large volumes of water were carried down from the Pennines after heavy rain, that washed away a section of the weir. The river level above the weir is so low that navigation is not possible, and this includes the entrance to the Huddersfield Broad Canal.

A year earlier, flooding further downstream on the Calder and Hebble Navigation had sunk one narrowboat and left another stranded on the towpath. See photos.

March 5th 2009

The stoppage that is currently underway at Forge Locks on the Leeds and Liverpool is to be extended until 12th March 2009.

This is because damage has been found to the lock wall which will make pressure grouting necessary.

In addition, the Stainforth and Keadby Canal (South Yorkshire Navigation) is currently closed between Mauds Swingbridge and Crowle due to a very dense mat of weed. A workboat is scheduled to remove the weed next week.

Ganny Lock, on the Calder and Hebble above Brighouse, is closed for gate replacement. This lock will re-open on 13th March.

For more information about additional or extended stoppages, please see the Stoppages page.

March 3rd 2009

The construction of the Liverpool Canal Link is now complete.

A brand new set of photos of the Canal Link, taken March 2009, starts here.

British Waterways is currently undertaking a programme of testing and commissioning before allowing boaters to use the link.

New finger pontoons have been installed in Salthouse Dock, adjacent to Albert Dock, providing visitor moorings for up to 40 narrowboats and 4 wide beam boats. These will have water and power.

Boaters wishing to take their boats to Liverpool should contact BW's Wigan office (01942 405700) to book a passage from Maghull to Liverpool and to book a mooring space. There is already a waiting list. The link is expected to open to boaters around the end of April or beginning of May, although a date has not yet been finalised.

See new photos of the Liverpool Canal Link.

February 27th 2009

Now that the structures of Liverpool's new canal link have been completed, British Waterways are undertaking a period of testing in order to identify any problems that need to be attended to before boaters are allowed through.

As part of this testing a BW work boat has made a number of passages through the link

A time-lapse video was made of one of these journeys by Eddie Barford and Richard Williams and has been put onto the Liverpool Daily Post web site.

Clicking the "full screen" button, just to the right of centre at the bottom of the video panel, will expand the image to fill your screen. Simply press the Escape key to return to the normal page.

To view the video, click this link to the Liverpool Daily Post web site.

There will be some new photos of the Liverpool Canal Link here on Pennine Waterways web site next week, so please come back for a look!

February 27th 2009

When Standedge Tunnel re-opens for through boat passages on 30th March 2009, it will be under the new system of boats going through under their own power.

Passage will take place on three days a week - Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Three boats in each direction will be allowed into the tunnel each day, at 45 minute intervals to prevent boaters being affected by the diesel fumes of other boats.

Each boat will carry a British Waterways "chaperone", a qualified tunnel pilot who will supervise the passage and offer advice. The pilot would be able to steer the boat through tricky sections if the boater wished but the boater may steer the boat the whole way if preferred.

Boaters wishing to use the tunnel must book a passage at least 24 hours in advance by phoning 0113 281 6860 (line open Monday to Friday, 8.30 am - 4.30 pm). Because of the limited number of passages available it is advisable to book a slot as far in advance as possible, but you should be aware that BW will charge you £50 if you don't show up (unless you have phoned to cancel 48 hours or more in advance).

Pets will be allowed to remain on board but must be restrained (i.e. caged or tied) so that there is no possibility of them becoming alarmed and causing a distraction or safety problem.

Boaters will be issued with hard hat and life jacket to be worn at all times in the tunnel by anyone outside on the boat and each boat will be issued with additional lighting for navigation.

Boats will only be allowed into the tunnel if they are within the specified craft dimensions (basically not more than 70 ft length, 6'10" beam, 3' 3" draught - a diagram showing the exact dimensions can be seen here). Fibreglass boats and petrol engined boats are not permitted through the tunnel.

A new and improved communications system, which will allow the BW "chaperones" to stay in constant contact with the office base, is not yet available. Until this is in place, the boat will pause at each adit (cross-passage through to the old railway tunnel) so that the BW pilot can call the base via the phone system, so that the tunnel controller knows where each boat is. A back-up van will be stationed near the middle of the tunnel in order to be able to respond if an emergency arises.

Boaters will be able to work their own way up the locks at Marsden and Diggle. Lock 32e below Marsden will be unlocked at 8.30 am and boaters approaching from the east can make their own way up on the day before they are booked to go through the tunnel, but they must pass through Lock 31e before 3.30 pm.

The Diggle locks will operate in a similar way to previous years. Lock 24w will be unlocked at 8.30 am and boats should make their way up on the day of their tunnel passage, to arrive at Diggle portal by 11.30 am. Boats heading westwards will have the opportunity of stopping overnight at Marsden or continuing down the Marsden locks, as long as they are through Lock 32e before 4.30 pm (so anyone hoping to do that should try to be the first boat through the tunnel!).

Boats will be allowed (as before) to come up the Marsden flight to stay for a couple of days before going back down, without passing through the tunnel. Booking is not needed, although BW says it would be helpful if boaters wishing to do that let them know of their intention.

February 27th 2009

Standedge Tunnel re-opens for through boat passages at the end of March, with boats going through under their own power.

But if you haven't got a boat then there is good news for you as well! There will be monthly through trips for passengers on the electric passenger module.

These trips will be on the first Saturday of each month, with the first being on Saturday 4th April. The westbound trip leaves Tunnel End, Marsden at 9.00 am and the eastbound trip leaves Diggle at 1.00 pm. The fare will be £10 per person (£8 children and concessions) and places can be booked by ringing 01484 844298.

Bus number 184 runs hourly through Diggle and Marsden, passing the top of the lane leading down to Tunnel End, for those who don't fancy making their return on foot over the moors.

The short trips into the tunnel from Tunnel End will operate as in previous years and will start again this year when the Standedge Visitor Centre opens on Saturday 4th April.

February 25th 2009

Shopping trolleys and canals go together like fish and chips. Nobody is quite sure why trolleys are attracted towards water but they will sometimes turn up in canals and rivers miles from the nearest supermarket!

But trolleys are not appreciated by boaters, many of whom have had the experience of becoming stuck on top of one.

Now BW is giving you the chance to fight back with the opening of a new Trolley Hotline.

A call to 01923 201120 or a visit to www.britishwaterways.co.uk/trolley will allow members of the public to report sightings of abandoned trolleys in British Waterways' canals and rivers.

This information will be used to help recover trolleys, to map hotspot areas and to identify a league table of the nation's least and most environmentally responsible retailers.

Later in 2009, a 'Golden Trolley Award' will be presented to the retailer showing best environmental management of its trolleys, while an 'Off Your Trolley Award' will be presented to the least environmentally responsible retailer.

It is costing BW £150,000 a year to remove around 3,000 trolleys from its network. BW estimates that, if stacked on on top of another, these trolleys would reach ten times as high as Canary Wharf!

BW chief Robin Evans says: "Shopping trolleys are symbolic of the mindless pollution that takes place along our canals and rivers every year and quite frankly we are fed up with having to clean up after other people.

"Whilst some retailers have taken real steps to clean up their act, there remains a problem with thousands of dumped trolleys in our waterways each year. You would think that supermarkets have a vested interest in not losing their trolleys, but it seems they just write many of them off each year rather than actually tackling the issue."

IWA Chairman Clive Henderson says: "Some of the country's biggest household names should be doing more to protect the nation's waterway environment. Abandoned shopping trolleys are unsightly, costly to remove, and spoil the outlook for the millions of people who visit the waterways each year. They also cause costly damage to boats. Removal of these trolleys would also have a wider beneficial effect for the waterways. There is evidence to suggest that an improved environment changes behaviour."

British Waterways has written to each of the main retailers asking them to enter into a not-for-profit cost recovery agreement for shopping trolleys that BW recovers on their behalf.

Hang on a moment - according to page 8 of DEFRA's "Guidance on the Management of Shopping Trolleys", published in 2007, "British Waterways has powers under section 9 of the British Waterways Act 1983 to remove shopping trolleys from inland waterways and recover any costs incurred in connection with their removal." So why isn't BW using the existing legislation? Why is BW messing about setting up new agreements to recover costs?

Help stamp out Trolley Folly - report trolleys in canals on 01923 201120 or at www.britishwaterways.co.uk/trolley.

February 24th 2009

The moon has been rescued from drowning in the Huddersfield Narrow Canal at Slaithwaite this weekend!

Don't worry, though, for this was part of the Moonraking Festival that takes place in Slaithwaite each year.

The event is based on a legend that some enterprising characters had hidden a supply of "moonshine" alcohol in the canal. As they were about to retrieve it with a rake, an official from Customs and Excise is supposed to have arrived. It is said that the locals feigned stupidity and said that the moon had fallen into the canal and that they were trying to rescue it. The gullible official is said to have walked away shaking his head at the daftness of the locals.

Similar legends are found in other parts of the country, but it makes a good tale and is a good excuse for a bit of a celebration at a chilly time of the year.

Each year in Slaithwaite, moonrakers dressed as spacemen pull an illuminated "moon" along the canal, watched by thousands of people filling Carr Lane. It is hoisted out of the canal by a cherry-picker, before being carried on a procession around the town, followed by hundreds of people carrying home-made lanterns.

When the procession arrives back at the canal the evening ends with a firework display.

February 23rd 2009

Boaters hoping to move on the Calder and Hebble Navigation are in for a further wait.

There is still no date for the re-opening of the navigation at Cooper Bridge following the collapse of the weir there in January, however, BW has announced that work will start on March 10th.

The water levels are so low that navigation is impossible between Cooper Bridge Lock and Kirklees Low Lock and there is no access to Lock 1 of the Huddersfield Broad Canal, which is just above the weir.

British Waterways has been negotiating access to the weir from the adjoining land and obtaining the necessary consent to work in the river, whilst planning the works on site. BW has now announced that they will start the work on 10th March 2009.

This photograph from BW shows the damage from a different angle than the photos shown here in January.

To add to the misery of local boaters a planned stoppage above Shepley Bridge begins this weekend in order to replace flood gates and carry out other essential works at Ledgard Flood Lock, a mile or so downstream of Cooper Bridge.

This stoppage will involve the closure of the lock cut between Ledgard Lock and Shepley Bridge Lock. There will be no passage through Shepley Bridge Lock and this will locked to prevent use.

The Ledgard/ Shepley Bridge stoppage will be from 23rd February until 13th March.

BW will issue a further update on the work at Cooper Bridge on 24th March.

February 12th 2009

British Waterways has been taking advantage of the canals being quieter during the winter period to carry out essential repairs and improvements to locks along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

The photo (right) shows work being carried out at Forge 3-rise Locks, on the outskirts of Leeds.

New lock gates, made at the British Waterways' Stanley Ferry Workshop, are being fitted, as well as repair work to the floor of the lower lock chamber and replacement of the cills and quoins. The old gates, that have been in operation for 25 years, were taken by barge up the canal to the wharf at Rodley to be recycled. The new gates were then brought back down the canal to be installed.

BW's own staff have carried out the work, apart from an outside contractor being used for lifting the gates. The project will cost £200,000, which includes the cost of constructing a temporary footpath past the work site. The photograph shows how popular the route is with walkers.

Lock repairs, gate replacement and lock ladder installation has been taking place at other locks along the 127 mile long canal, as seen in the Winter Stoppage list.

February 5th 2009

The annual Imbolc Celtic Fire Festival is to be celebrated on Saturday 7th February at Standedge Tunnel, Marsden, and is just what is needed as the area shivers under a blanket of snow!

The spectacle, which has been held for 15 years, includes a torchlit procession, starting from Marsden Railway Station car park at 7.00 pm, along Reddisher Road to Tunnel End. The crowds will be entertained by theatrical performances, a dazzling pyrotechnic display and fire sculptures.

This year's festival is set to be the biggest and best yet with live music from a local singing group, a fire circus and a battle not to be missed between Jack Frost and the Green Man, all set to keep the public sizzling through the night at Standedge.

James Dean, visitor services manager at Standedge, said: "This will be my first Imbolc Festival as manager of Standedge and from what I've heard it's an event not to be missed. I'm really proud that Standedge can call the festival home. It's set to be a fantastic night so we hope as many people can join us as possible."

A series of workshops have been ongoing throughout January at Standedge Visitor Centre where people have had the chance to learn some fire juggling skills and brush up on their performing skills in preparation for the festival.

Imbolc is a 2000 year old Celtic Festival which marks the first signs of spring, marking the time when the Earth begins to wake-up after its winter sleep. The lighting of candles and fires represents the return of warmth and the increasing power of the Sun.

Members of the public are asked not to bring dogs as the fireworks may distress animals.

January 27th 2009

Liverpool's new Canal Link was the centre of attention at the closing event of Liverpool's Year of Culture!

Around sixty thousand people crowded onto the Pier Head area on each side of the new canal channel to witness the closing spectacular on 10th January. This featured fireworks, music, dance, illuminated lanterns on the canal and special lighting of The Three Graces. A film of the highlights of the year was shown on giant screens to the accompaniment of a sound track of well-known Liverpool songs.

The spectacular event marked the transition of Liverpool from the European Capital of Culture 2008 to a European Cultural Capital.

At one time it had been hoped that the Canal Link could have been completely open in time for the Year of Culture but it was good that the section through the Pier Head was opened in time to play a leading part at the end of the year of events.

Debbie Lumb of British Waterways said: "We were thrilled to see the new canal link feature at the heart of the closing ceremony of the Capital of Culture year. With the opening of the canal link in Spring 2009 the waterfront will be animated with boaters from all over the country visiting Liverpool to see for themselves the transformation of the waterfront and the city."

Liverpool Council Leader Councillor Warren Bradley said: "2008 was a life-changing year for this city and we wanted to say thank-you for everyone who helped play their part. And what better way than with a party at the waterfront, where so much of this city's story began?''

Phil Redmond of Liverpool Culture Company said: ''It is a testimony to the people of Liverpool that so many came out in freezing weather. This celebration was not a finale - it simply marks a new beginning for Liverpool.''

The spectacular event marked the transition of Liverpool from the European Capital of Culture 2008 to a European Cultural Capital.

January 23rd 2009 updated 26th Jan, 2nd, 9th, 16th Feb

British Waterways has announced an emergency stoppage affecting boaters using the Calder & Hebble Navigation and Huddersfield Broad Canal.

Flood damage to Cooper Bridge Weir is causing low levels between Kirklees Low Lock and Cooper Bridge Lock, along with the approach to the Huddersfield Broad Canal entrance lock.

On Friday afternoon (23rd Jan), water levels were 400mm below normal water levels, but as flood waters recede, the levels could be expected to drop further.

Update, 26th Jan: Water levels now 1.1 metres below normal water levels, making navigation impossible.

British Waterways has put an emergency stoppage in place whilst engineers consider options for repair.

Repairs cannot be carried out until after the flood water recedes. BW will issue a further update on Monday 2nd February.

Update, 2nd Feb: Stoppage will continue.
BW will issue a further update on Monday 9th February.
Update, 9th Feb: Stoppage will continue.
BW will issue a further update on Monday 16th February.
Update, 16th Feb: Stoppage will continue.
BW is currently negotiating access to the weir from the adjoining land and obtaining the necessary consent to work in the river, whilst planning the works on site.
BW will issue a further update on Monday 23rd February.

This follows a similar failure last October at Ledgard Weir, 1.5 miles downstream. On that occasion, the navigation was closed for several days and then boaters were allowed to pass with care until repairs were complete.

January 14th 2009

As work on the Liverpool Canal Link nears completion, water has been let into the new channel through Trafalgar Dock.

The new channel links Stanley, Collingwood and Salisbury Docks to the north with West Waterloo and Princes Docks to the South. This forms the northern section of the Liverpool Canal Link but, unlike the southern section through Princes Dock and the Pier Head, this channel runs through the old dock area still used for commercial purposes, which is not open to the public, so there will be no route for pedestrians alongside the channel.

Trafalgar Dock had been infilled except for a narrow channel along the eastern edge to maintain the water level in Waterloo and Princes Docks. This channel has been widened to navigable width, utilising the old dock wall on one side and a sloping bank constructed on the other side, lined with a mesh that will enable vegetation to grow. A new concrete-sided channel was constructed to link through to West Waterloo Dock. [see photos]

Construction of this channel was completed just before Christmas and on Christmas Eve a New Holland 235 excavator from plant contractors P P O'Connor moved in to remove the clay bund that held back the dock water.

After a period of testing, the Liverpool Canal Link should open for navigation around Easter, enabling canal boats to travel from the Leeds and Liverpool Canal through to Albert Dock and the southern docks.

The photos with this report were taken by Charlie Edge and appear with permission of P P O'Connor Ltd.

See photos of the Liverpool Canal Link route in Oct 2008.

January 12th 2009

Proposals for a Manchester Ship Canal Museum are being considered by Trafford Council.

Ship Canal owners Peel Holdings have put forward plans to convert an Argos distribution warehouse close to the Trafford Centre into a new museum to tell the story of the canal and the 16,000 navvies who built it.

The proposed museum, in Barton Dock Road, would feature items used by the navvies during the construction of the canal between 1885 and 1894. Some of the steam powered machinery, such as excavators and cranes, has survived and could be included in the displays.

The plans are to be considered by Trafford council, whose Planning department is recommending approval. The museum would occupy the whole of the 31,000 square metre building. The proposal includes increasing the parking space to accommodate 750 cars. 16 bus routes stop outside the building and the Trafford Centre bus station is a short distance away. The application can be viewed online by entering H/70328 here.