We have completed the complex task in time for boats in the area to travel within a 46km stretch between Liverpool and Wigan over the bank holiday weekend.
The culvert, a large pipe that carries a stream beneath the canal between bridges 9c and 10, collapsed on 12 June. Thousands of litres of water drained from the canal. Our staff and contractors have been on site over the past 10 weeks to fix the culvert and bring the canal back into use.
Help from volunteers
As well as the structural repairs they carried out a fish rescue and were joined by local volunteers to clear fly-tipped rubbish from the canal bed.
Richard Spencer, senior project manager at the Trust, estimates that the work has cost between £550-£600k. He says: “Starting with the initial response alongside the emergency services, right through to the finishing touches this week, it's been a complex task.
“We've worked hard to get the canal and towpath open as soon as possible as we know they're much-loved by local people, so it's great that everyone will be able to get out and about again on or by the water over the bank holiday weekend.
“The support for our charity's work has been fantastic, and we thank all the volunteers who have given up their time to help care for their local waterway, ensuring everyone in the community can continue to enjoy a slice of waterside wellbeing in their daily lives.”
The Leeds & Liverpool Canal will become navigable from Wigan through to Liverpool South Docks, from 11am on Friday 24 August.
