Pennine Waterways Newsletters 61

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P e n n i n e W a t e r w a y s N e w s l e t t e r # 6 1
M a r c h 1 8 t h 2 0 0 3
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Welcome to the latest e-mail newsletter from Pennine Waterways!
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The long-awaited official opening of the Rochdale Canal is now to take place later this month. The event will happen on Friday 28th March at 1.00 pm. It will be at Sandbrook Park, off Edinburgh Way, Rochdale. The opening will be performed by the Environment Minister, Michael Meacher MP. Part of the recently restored canal lies in Mr Meacher's Oldham West and Royton constituency.
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British Waterways have announced that from April, the charges for boats passing through Standedge Tunnel will be withdrawn. Boaters wishing to go through will still need to book their passage at least 3 days in advance by phoning 01484 844298.

The free passage applies to boats and up to four crew members. Additional crew members still need to pay £6 each as before. Passengers who are not with a boat may also travel through with a "hiker's ticket" also costing £6. Passengers should phone 01484 844298 to book.

The removal of boat passage charges for the tunnel is part of a wider move by British Waterways to encourage more boats to some of the waterway attractions that have recently been built or restored, including the Falkirk Wheel, the Anderton Lift and the Ribble Link. Much of the income from these venues is from visitors and they want to see boats during their visit.
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British Waterways are embarking on a scheme to restore the canal warehouses at Sowerby Bridge. The development is to include a visitor centre. Pennine Waterways website will shortly have a section that will give details of the scheme and photographs of the progress, so keep an eye on the "home" page.
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"Coronation Street" viewers recently saw the Hillman family's people carrier plunge into a canal. Canal fans may have recognised the location as being Portland Basin, at the junction of the Ashton and Peak Forest Canals, Ashton under Lyne. The graceful stone arch carrying the towpath across the entrance to the Peak Forest appeared in a number of shots, as did the stump of the old loading crane on the wharf. The canal is only 3 or 4 feet deep at this point but there is a lot of silt on the bottom. The weight of the car caused it to sink quite deeply into this silt. The Wooden Boat Society's historic boats, which are normally moored at Portland Basin, were moved to a point further down the canal during the filming.
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Since the last Pennine Waterways newsletter, the website has had some additional pages added. There are new pages about the Manchester Ship Canal
See http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/manchester/m30.htm
There is a whole new section devoted to the Bridgewater Canal incorporating the existing page about Barton Swing Aqueduct.
See http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/bridgewater

Fans of the Bridgewater Canal may know about Duchess Countess, a former passenger packet boat on the canal, which is currently being re-created as a replica on the Montgomery Canal, where the boat spent its final years. The trust will have a stand at the opening celebrations of the Aston to Gronwen section of the Montgomery Canal, at Queens Head from 4th - 6th April 2003. See the website at http://www.duchess-countess.org.uk
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The Horseboating Society has a new website which may be of interest. The Horseboating Society exists to promote horseboating and to preserve the heritage and skills of this once common form of transport. Many of the society's activities in the last couple of years have taken place on canals in the Pennine area.
The address is http://www.horseboating.org.uk
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Forthcoming events: Barnsley, Dearne & Dove Canals Society - A fund raising charity ceilidh is planned for Saturday 5th April 2003 at Keresforth Hall Barnsley. Tickets £5.00 each from derekhousley@hotmail.com
A talk on the rise, the demise and the future of the Barnsley, Dearne & Dove Canals is also taking place on Monday 24th March at Barnsley Library starting at 19.00 hours.
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P e n n i n e W a t e r w a y s N e w s l e t t e r # 6 2
J u n e 1 3 t h 2 0 0 3
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Welcome to the latest e-mail newsletter from Pennine Waterways!
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A little out of the area covered by Pennine Waterways website, but yet another phase of northern canal restoration has been completed! On June 26th, the latest section to be restored between Shireoaks and Kiveton Park will be officially opened. This means that the whole of the eastern part of the Chesterfield Canal, from the River Trent up to Norwood Tunnel, will be open to Navigation once again.

The isolated Chesterfield end of the canal is already back in water, leaving the partly collapsed Norwood Tunnel and the section between Norwood Locks and Staveley still to be restored.
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There have been some problems recently on the Rochdale Canal, less than a year after its re-opening. The first problem occurred at Lock 87 on the "Rochdale Nine" flight through Manchester City Centre. One of the gates was damaged by impact from a boat, and is inoperable.

Boats are being worked through this lock by British Waterways staff. Passage must be booked at least 24 hours in advance by telephoning 0161 819 5847. The lock is open for passage twice a day - at 8.00 am and 1.00 pm. Passage is not possible for wide beam boats.

The next problem was at Lock 65 in Failsworth. Two boats were being escorted up from Manchester and were rising in this lock. The BW ground crew were waiting for the boats to clear the lock so that it could be padlocked, as this marks the top of the escorted section. The lock was nearly full when one of the tail gates collapsed, emptying the lock rapidly with the two boats still inside. The gate had not been hit by either boat.

One of the ground crew told me that it was very fortunate that the top gates were not yet open, as the pound above is a long one, and the rush of water through the lock may have swept at least one of the boats out of the lock and flooding would have occurred along the route right down to Manchester. The crew members on board the boats, including an elderly lady, were quickly got to safety and the boaters operating the lock sensibly dropped the top paddles immediately.

Later, one of the boats was craned past the lock and continued its journey, while the crew of the other decided to turn back, and were escorted back down to Manchester, arriving late in the evening!

Since this incident, the canal has been closed between Dale Street and Slattocks. New gates were on order and are due to be fitted around this time.

Unfortunately, yet another gate failure at Lock 25, at Cooperas Bridge, near Walsden caused the temporary closure of the canal from Todmorden. This was a gate that was restored some time ago, as this part of the canal has been back in use for a number of years. British Waterways have announced that this lock in now open again for narrow beam craft.

Then, unbelievably, yet another lock gate has broken - Lock 30, Winterbutlee Lock at Walsden. A photograph of the damage can be seen here

In the meantime, boaters wishing to cross the Pennines have been using the Huddersfield Narrow Canal or the longer route of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Anyone planning to use the Rochdale Canal should telephone British Waterways (0161 819 5847) for guidance on the latest situation.
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Forthcoming events:
Whaley Water Weekend - 21st - 22nd June. Whaley Bridge Basin.

Tameside Canals Festival - 13th - 15th July at Portland Basin, Ashton under Lyne.

Leeds-on-Water Festival - 18th to 20th July. On the Aire and Calder near Knostrop lock. (Details from BW.)

Wakefield Waterways Festival - 15th to 17th August at Stanley Ferry.

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P e n n i n e W a t e r w a y s N e w s l e t t e r # 6 3
J u l y 2 9 t h 2 0 0 3
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Welcome to the latest e-mail newsletter from Pennine Waterways!
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Problems for boaters in the North West area continue with a huge breach closing the Leeds and Liverpool Canal west of Wigan. The breach occurred on July 20th at Newburgh near Parbold. Millions of gallons of water drained away from the 27 mile long pound between Appley Bridge and Liverpool, washing away part of the Wigan to Southport railway near Hoscar Moss. Boaters miles away noticed the level dropping and the area containing the breach was sealed off with temporary bungs.

The Rufford Arm, leads down to the River Douglas a couple of miles west of the breach, was closed, although this should be re-opening this week. A two mile stretch of the main canal line will remain closed until at least early September, while emergency repairs are made.

The closure cuts off Liverpool and the Ribble Link from the rest of the canal system. British Waterways have asked boaters proposing to travel through the area to alter their plans. Those trapped on the wrong side of the closure and needing to return to their home moorings should contact BW on 01257 481054 to arrange to have their vessels craned around the closure.

Craning operations will take place on the first four Fridays in August - 1st, 8th, 15th and 21st August. Boats trapped at the western end of the canal will be craned out at Moss Bridge (No. 35) and back in at White Bear Marina, Adlington. Boats returning from the Lancaster Canal via the Ribble Link will be craned out at Harry Mayor's boat yard, Tarleton and back in at White Bear Marina. Boats needing to return to the western end of the canal or the Lancaster Canal will be craned out at White Bear Marina and taken to Moss Bridge or Tarleton, respectively.

Contact Vaughan Jones or Cheryl Flynn at White Bear Marina, 01257 481054, to arrange craning. Contact Galgate office on 01524 752888 as usual to arrange passage on the Ribble Link.

Some photographs of the breach appear on the website, courtesy of Ken Fairhurst. Click here.

I have just returned from a cruise along the Lancaster Canal and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and we were lucky enough to pass through the affected area a few days before the breach occurred!
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The previous newsletter reported on the problems on the Rochdale Canal, which are still continuing. Lock 87, on the "Rochdale Nine" flight in Manchester, is still being manned by British Waterways staff. Passage through the Rochdale Nine must be booked at least 24 hours in advance by telephoning 0161 819 5847, with two passages a day - at 8.00 am and 1.00 pm. Passage is not possible for wide beam boats.

The broken gates at Lock 65 in Failsworth and Locks 25 and 30 near Walsden have now been replaced. Inspections are taking place on other gates of a similar type between Todmorden and Littleborough. This is expected to take until mid-August. Until the outcome of these inspections is known, the canal remains closed between Todmorden and the junction with the Ashton Canal in Manchester.

The canal is open between Sowerby Bridge and Lock 19, Todmorden. A few boats were craned past the closure from Walsden. Some ground staff have been transferred to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal to enable more boats to use Standedge Tunnel. Boaters may also use the longer route of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Telephone British Waterways (0161 819 5847) for guidance on the latest situation.
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Proposals have been put forward to create a marina above Durn Lock on the Rochdale Canal at Littleborough. This could accommodate up to 108 boats of varying lengths up to a total footage of 4210 feet. A copy of the report and submission is available by sending £2.00 to Nicholas Hammond, 62 Dean Head, Todmorden Road, Littleborough, OL15 9LZ.
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Forthcoming events:
Bank Holiday Bonanza - 23rd to 25th August at Standedge Visitor Centre, Marsden.
Wakefield Waterways Festival - 15th to 17th August at Stanley Ferry.
Saltaire Festival - 8th to 21st September, celebrating 150 years of Salts Mill, alongside the Leeds and Liverpool. Canal festival on 20th and 21st September.
Heritage Open Day - 13th September at Apperley Bridge on the Leeds and Liverpool near Bradford.
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Update:
BW has just released more information about the closure of the Rochdale Canal.

Broken gates at Lock 65 in Failsworth and Locks 25 and 30 near Walsden, which had resulted in closures during July, have now been replaced.

It seems that the inspections that have taken place have shown some other gates of a similar type to be vulnerable. Four further sets of gates are now being made to replace those which may become unsafe.

In addition, 15 other gates between Failsworth and Sowerby Bridge are to receive steel strengthening plates. Until this work has been carried out, the canal remains closed between Todmorden and the junction with the Ashton Canal in Manchester. Lock 16 (Lobb Mill) will be closed on 6th, 7th and 8th August for gate strengthening.

A target date of August 9th has been set for re-opening the canal.

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P e n n i n e W a t e r w a y s N e w s l e t t e r # 6 4
S e p t e m b e r 6 t h 2 0 0 3
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Welcome to the latest e-mail newsletter from Pennine Waterways!
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As Summer draws to an end, the problems for boaters in the North West area are coming to an end as the Rochdale and Leeds and Liverpool Canals become fully open once more.

Much of the Rochdale Canal has been closed while repairs have been carried out to a number of lock gates that were thought to be potentially dangerous. During August, the canal has been open between Todmorden and Sowerby Bridge. From Monday 8th September, the whole of the Rochdale Canal will once again be open. Boaters wishing to travel between Dale Street, Manchester and Failsworth in either direction should phone 0161 819 5847 to book an assisted passage.

Lock 87, on the "Rochdale Nine" flight in Manchester, is still being manned by British Waterways staff. Passage through the Rochdale Nine must be booked at least 24 hours in advance by telephoning 0161 819 5847, with two passages a day - at 8.00 am and 1.00 pm. Passage is not possible for wide beam boats. Repairs to Lock 87 will take place after the main boating season.

In July, a breach closed the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Parbold, west of Wigan. This breach has now been repaired and the canal was re-opened on 3rd September, including the nearby Rufford Arm. In order to conserve water, British Waterways are asking boaters to share locks or wait for up to 30 minutes to see if another boat turns up. Boaters wishing to use the Ribble Link should book their passage with the Galgate office in the usual way - tel: 01524 752888.
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Boaters should use caution when travelling on the Bridgewater Canal near Manchester as water levels are still low after vandals released millions of gallons of water from the canal at Pomona Lock. The lock was attacked on two occasions at the end of August, leaving some boats grounded in Manchester. It may be some time until the levels return to normal.
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Forthcoming events:
Saltaire Festival - 8th to 21st September, celebrating 150 years of Salts Mill, alongside the Leeds and Liverpool. Canal festival on 20th and 21st September.
Heritage Open Day - 13th September at Apperley Bridge on the Leeds and Liverpool near Bradford.

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P e n n i n e W a t e r w a y s N e w s l e t t e r # 6 5
O c t o b e r 2 6 t h 2 0 0 3
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Welcome to the latest e-mail newsletter from Pennine Waterways!
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One of the driest periods since records began has forced British Waterways to close two sections of canal in the High Peak area. Marple Flight on the Peak Forest Canal and Bosley Locks on the Macclesfield Canal will shut on Sunday 26th October at 2pm as water levels reach critical levels. This follows careful assessment of the area's seven reservoirs. The dry summer and increasing boating activity have combined to reduce some reservoirs to 10% of their normal levels. Other canals in the area, including the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, are subject to shortages and water levels are being monitored.

Derek Cochrane, British Waterways Northern Managing Director, said: "Obviously we never like shutting any part of the network but the closures on the Peak Forest and Macclesfield Canals come only a week before the planned maintenance period begins, when several canals will be closed anyway for essential work."

Low-water in reservoirs and waterways means a risk to fish stocks and aquatic life from de-oxygenation or increased pollution levels. Levels are being monitored daily and it is hoped a minimal feed of water can be maintained to the Peak Forest and Macclesfield Canals to safeguard the environment.
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The programme of winter closures on the canals in the area is summarised on the Pennine Waterways website.
Click http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/stoppages.htm
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Preparations have started for the work to fix the major leak at Bugsworth Basin at the end of the Peak Forest Canal. This leak has kept the basin closed since shortly after its re-opening in 1999. A new habitat has been built for voles that will be displaced by the work and a clay bund has been built to keep the work area dry. Special access tracks have been constructed of crushed limestone laid on "Terram" to protect the archaeologically important site from damage by contractors' vehicles.

The basin is expected to re-open in Spring 2004.
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A scheme on the Rochdale Canal to protect rare white-clawed crayfish has been acclaimed at the 2003 British Waterways Conservation Awards. The North West region gained an extra special commendation for its conservation work.

Canal crayfish often live in lock by-washes as they closely resemble a river habitat where there is strong flowing, well-oxygenated water. Now that the Rochdale Canal is in use, boat traffic has led to an occasional drop in flow and changes in water levels in some by-washes as the locks are used.

To stop the crayfish from ending up high and dry, ecologists and British Waterways' staff constructed a series of pools in certain by-washes, which retain water during lower flows. Simple weirs constructed from quick-setting cement provide permanent pools one or two metres wide and up to 15cm deep.

Surveys show that native crayfish now continue to thrive in the Rochdale Canal.
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British Waterways, in conjunction with the local authorities in Oldham and Rochdale, have announced a major regeneration strategy to help develop a 14-mile stretch of the newly restored Rochdale Canal. It is hoped the waterway will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of the areas and communities along the canal corridor.

Proposals include a range of homes, workplaces, visitor attractions, safe greenspaces and walking routes. The strategy will also help to create a further 15,000 jobs, the construction or reuse of half a million square metres of office, leisure and shopping floorspace plus reclamation and recovery of 530 hectares of land.

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P e n n i n e W a t e r w a y s N e w s l e t t e r # 6 6
J a n u a r y 1 4 t h 2 0 0 4
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Welcome to the first e-mail newsletter from Pennine Waterways in 2004!
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Standedge Visitor Centre is to close its doors this week until the summer.
In a surprise move, British Waterways have decided to shut the centre on Friday 16th January for the remainder of the winter season. This will give them the opportunity to improve the contents and refresh the centre. Standedge Visitor Centre has been "earmarked as a honeypot site in a national tourism initiative which will highlight and promote the jewels in the British Waterways' crown."

The centre will re-open in time for the summer. This closure does not affect boat passages through Standedge Tunnel and boaters wishing to take their boats through should telephone 01484 844298 as usual.
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Advance warning that the Hollinwood Canal Society is to hold its first public meeting on Saturday 21st February 2004 at 2.00 pm. It will take place in the John Howarth Visitor Centre, Daisy Nook Country Park, off Newmarket Road / Stannybrook Road between Ashton and Failsworth.

The society aims to see the restoration of the Hollinwood and Fairbottom Branches of the Ashton Canal through Daisy Nook Country Park, the re-connection of the canals in Daisy Nook with the Ashton Canal in Droylsden and the opening of a new link through to the Rochdale Canal. This is your chance to become a member of the society - all welcome.
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A meeting to discuss the structure for a canal society for the Stockport Branch of the Ashton Canal will take place at Stockport Town Hall Committee Room No 1, on Tuesday 3rd February 2004, starting at 7.30 pm. British Waterways have already expressed an interest in re-opening the canal as far as Debdale Park, but the canal group and keen to see a restoration through Reddish to the original terminus at Lancashire Hill, Stockport.
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The Barnsley Dearne and Dove Canals Trust has a new address for its website. The new address is http://www.bddct.org.uk The trust is working for the re-opening of these canals linking the Aire and Calder with the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigations.
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P e n n i n e W a t e r w a y s N e w s l e t t e r # 6 7
F e b r u a r y 2 7 t h 2 0 0 4
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Welcome to the latest e-mail newsletter from Pennine Waterways!
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After the extremely heavy rain that fell in the area during at the beginning of February, a landslip occurred on the southern bank of the Rochdale Canal to the west of HebdenBridge. The slippage occurred above Lock 13 (Callis Lock), east of Burntacres Bridge.

The bank that slipped was on the offside, with a grassy hillside rising steeply above. The weight of water in the ground appears to have caused it to collapse into the canal, taking with it some mature trees and completely blocking the canal.

British Waterways are investigating what works are needed to stabilise the embankment so that the canal can be re-opened as quickly as possible.

The canal is closed between locks 13 and 14, with winding holes at lock 12 and Bridge 24. For the latest information about this stoppage, phone the Waterway Office on 01925 847 700.

Pictures of the landslip can be seen at:
http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news7.htm
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On February 27th, British Waterways submitted its planning application to Liverpool City Council to build a Canal Link across the Pier Head linking the city's Central and South Docks.

The innovative �15.5 million scheme, which has had overwhelming public support, will allow boats to sail from the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, past the world-famous Three Graces and into the Albert Dock. The route was the most popular in a public survey carried out in 2001, being favoured by 77% of respondents.

Currently the Leeds & Liverpool Canal ends adjacent to the Tobacco Warehouse at Stanley Dock. The link would open up another 3.5 miles of dock waterspace to inland waterways craft. See
http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news9.htm
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The Hollinwood Canal Society held its first public meeting on 21st February in the John Howarth Visitor Centre, Daisy Nook Country Park. About 50 people attended, many of whom became members.

The society has a new website at http://www.hollinwoodcanal.co.uk
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A meeting of the society for the Stockport Branch of the Ashton Canal took place on 3rd February, attended by about 50 people. The society named itself the Manchester and Stockport Canal Society and is keen to see a restoration of the branch from Clayton through Reddish to the original terminus at Lancashire Hill, Stockport.

Information about the Stockport Branch can be seen at
http://www.jemsabi.uklinux.net/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Lock Keepers on the Wigan Flight of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal have been awarded the prestigious "Lock Keeper of the Year" award by the Association of Pleasure Craft Operators - the first time that the award has gone to the North West.
For more details, see http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news10.htm
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British Waterways has been continuing lock gate replacements on "Rochdale Nine" locks in Manchester during January and February. Lock 85 near Dale Street, presented a particular problem as an office block was built above it in the 1960s. With only eight feet clearance, conventional cranes were unable to access the site. This was resolved by using a LGH Megalift, designed to work in confined spaces, which lifted the gates off the front of a barge by using the lock's copingstones as support before raising the four-ton gates into position from below.

It was the first time that this equipment has been used on the canals. The old oak gates have been in place for at least 35 years and may have been the oldest wooden gates still in use on the canal network. British Waterways continued using the equipment at Locks 87,90 and 91.

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M a r c h 1 1 t h 2 0 0 4
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Welcome to the latest e-mail newsletter from Pennine Waterways!
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The last newsletter reported on the landslip that has blocked the Rochdale Canal near Hebden Bridge.

British Waterways' investigations are now complete and work to stabilise the embankment began on Tuesday 2nd March.

A temporary road was been constructed to provide access to the slip site for plant equipment. The area has been fenced off to make it safe. A lagoon has been created for the wet earth to dry out before being taken off site, this being the most cost-effective method. The cost of the repair works is expected to be £250,000.

These works are planned to take 5 weeks to complete and the canal is expected to be re-opened for navigation on Thursday 8th April 2004.

Until then, the canal is closed between locks 13 and 14, with winding holes at lock 12 and Bridge 24. For the latest information about this stoppage, phone the Waterway Office on 01925 847700. During the work, the towpath has been closed between Callis Bridge and Burnt Acres Bridge, with a diversion along the main road.

Pictures of the landslip can be seen at:
http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news7.htm
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2004 will be a special year for the Peak Forest Canal!

Over the Easter weekend (April 9th -12th) there will be a gathering of boats above Marple Top Lock to celebrate 30 years of the restoration of the Marple Locks and 30 years of the Cheshire Ring. The wooden Maria will be horse-drawn from its Ashton base to celebrate being 150 years old! In readiness for this anniversary, Maria has been restored to its original condition, with the removal of the roof that was added when the boat was converted for carrying passengers. Maria was built at Jinks' yard, next to Marple Top Lock in 1854.

On Good Friday, 9th April, the unveiling will take place of a locally-made cast iron signpost to commemorate the work of Ted Keaveney, a local canal enthusiast, who was instrumental in getting the 16-lock flight reopened in 1974.

The IWA's North West Region Chairman Margaret Fletcher said: "Ted Keaveney and the other stalwarts of the Peak Forest Canal Society led the campaign for the restoration of the canal route from Marple to Manchester. To achieve this they did much of the restoration work themselves. The restored route is now an attraction that is enjoyed by walkers, boaters and many other diverse groups."

Ted Keaveney's son, Bob, said: "I am moved that my late father's efforts in promoting waterway preservation, restoration and development, both locally and nationally, are being recognised in this way. Its location at Marple Junction is especially appropriate as it was one of my parents' favourite places on the waterway system."

Another event is planned for early July to mark 200 years since the completion of the Marple Lock flight, replacing the tramway that originally linked the two levels of the Peak Forest Canal.
See http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news11.htm
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The Rochdale Canal also celebrates its 200th Anniversary this year, which will be marked by a range of events, including family fun days at Hollingworth Lake and community events in Failsworth, Manchester and Hebden Bridge. Details later.

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P e n n i n e W a t e r w a y s N e w s l e t t e r # 6 9
A p r i l 2 8 t h 2 0 0 4
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Welcome to the latest e-mail newsletter from Pennine Waterways!
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Hot off the press as this newsletter was being sent out is the news that the Ashton Canal has had to be closed following a fire in a derelict mill in Manchester.

The closure is between Lock 18 at Droylsden and the junction with the Rochdale Canal and will be for at least 2 weeks, according to British Waterways.

In the early hours of Tuesday morning (27th April), a fire destroyed a derelict mill alongside the Ashton Canal between Locks 3 and 4 in the Ancoats district of Manchester. The internal floors of the building collapsed and the 4-storey wall adjoining the canal is bowing and in danger of collapsing into the canal. The building will be demolished from the other side, as access cannot be gained from the canal side. The work is expected to take AT LEAST two weeks during which time the canal will remain closed.

This will affect boaters intending to navigate the Cheshire Ring and the South Pennine Ring. Boaters on the Cheshire Ring are being turned around at Lock 18, Ashton Canal, or at Castlefield Basin, Manchester.
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The Rochdale Canal has now been re-opened to through traffic after being blocked by a landslip near Hebden Bridge.

After the extremely heavy rain that fell in the area during the first week of February 2004, the landslip occurred on the southern bank of the Rochdale Canal, above Lock 13 (Callis Lock), east of Burntacres Bridge. It was estimated that more than 1000 tonnes of earth and vegetation had gone into the canal.

British Waterways' began work to stabilise the embankment on 2nd March. A retaining wall was built to stabilise the bank and drainage channels added. A wall of gabions (rock-filled steel cages) was constructed and the earth built up behind. A lagoon was created for the surplus wet earth to dry out before being taken off site, this being the most cost-effective method. The works cost £250,000 and took 5 weeks to complete. The canal re-opened for navigation on schedule on 8th April 2004.
See: http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news7.htm
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Standedge Tunnel re-opened to the public at Easter after being closed for much of the winter. Visitors will be able to enjoy short boat trips into the tunnel and hear about the history of this stunning feat of engineering, and boaters will be able to have their boats taken right through.

Boat trips will run on weekends, bank holidays and daily during school holidays from Easter through to the Marsden Jazz Festival in mid October, and will leave from the former tunnel keeper�s cottage at the tunnel entrance, at regular intervals from 12 noon until 3.30pm. Trips cost £2.00 for adults, £1.00 for children and £1.50 for senior citizens.

Private boaters will continue to be able to travel the complete length of the tunnel as part of their journey along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. Through passage is available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays but needs to be booked in advance by contacting 01484 844298.

Standedge Visitor Centre will remain closed for the foreseeable future.
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The government has approved the compulsory purchase of land earmarked for the Kingsway Development in Rochdale. This is believed to be the largest such order ever issued and allows the green light for the £300 million redevelopment programme. Three quarters of the site had been acquired by negotiation but the order was needed to overcome the difficulties of a huge site with over 75 landowners. The development will take 15 years to complete and cover an area of 420 acres, of which 74 acres will be parkland. It is hoped that over 7,000 jobs will be created on the site, which is next to the Rochdale Canal. Work on the site should begin later in the year.
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Forthcoming Events:

May 1st/2nd - Mossley Canal Festival at Roaches Lock, Huddersfield Narrow Canal (Manchester Road, Mossley) Saturday from 10.30am, Sunday from 12.30pm, boats, stalls, displays, food, live music.

May 1st - 3rd - Skipton Waterways Festival, boats, street entertainment, stalls, live music, children's entertainment.

May 8th - South Pennine Boat Club Fun Day, at Battyeford Lock, Calder and Hebble Navigation (Wood Lane, Battyeford, Mirfield) 11am - 5pm, boats, stalls, food, games & activities for all ages.

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P e n n i n e W a t e r w a y s N e w s l e t t e r # 7 0
J u n e 6 t h 2 0 0 4
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Welcome to the latest e-mail newsletter from Pennine Waterways!
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The previous newsletter reported that the Ashton Canal had been closed following a fire in a derelict mill in Ancoats. Manchester. This affected boaters navigating the Cheshire Ring and the South Pennine Ring. The canal remained closed for three weeks while the mill was carefully demolished. It was re-opened on 18th May.
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An unusual narrowboat called at Castlefield Basin on the Bridgewater Canal in Manchester at the beginning of June 2004. The narrowboat "I. Frances" is a little unusual in appearance but does not seem remarkable. What is remarkable is that the boat started its journey in Canada! It has crossed the North Atlantic and toured the Irish canal system before travelling from Liverpool to Manchester. It's next destination could be Leeds!
For more details and photographs, see: www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/news2004.htm#ifrances
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It had been hoped that Bugsworth Basin would be re-opened in May after much fixing of leaks. This will now happen after minor repairs and dredging have taken place in the approach canal. This work is expected to be completed in August.
For more information, see www.brocross.com/iwps
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Fundraiser Derek Burns is walking 600 miles between Edinburgh and London, much of it along canal towpaths, to raise money for the National Missing Persons Helpline. Accompanied by members of local supporting organisations, he joined the canal network at Selby. He walked via Wakefield and Huddersfield, crossing the Pennines at Standedge, then via Ashton, reaching Castlefield, Manchester on June 4th and Preston Brook on June 6th. The route continues via the Trent and Mersey, Birmingham, Lapworth, Warwick, South Oxford Canal and the Thames. More information at www.missingpersons.org and click "news".
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Forthcoming Events:
June 18th - 20th - Strawberry Island Rally of Boats - Doncaster, Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation.
June 19th/20th - Whaley Water Weekend, Whaley Bridge, Peak Forest Canal.
June 25th - 27th - Boat Gathering at Brighouse, organised by Brighouse & Sowerby Bridge Boat Club to coincide with the local charity gala and procession. All boaters are invited and if notified in time the club may be able to accommodate some (but not all) in the marina. Entertainment will be in the Assembly Rooms, Briggate, on Saturday evening for which a small charge will be levied. Bar available.
June 26th - 27th - IWA Campaign Rally - Runcorn, Bridgewater Canal
July 3rd - Marple Locks 200 Years Celebration, Marple, Peak Forest Canal
July 9th - 11th July - Tameside Canals Festival, Portland Basin, Ashton under Lyne