As the site is a remote, rural location, contractors have built a 400m-long metal track and created ramps to the canal bed to allow vehicles and machinery to safely gain access and start work. Excavation works to the embankment, towpath and canal bed have been completed and our engineers are finalising the repair design.
What's involved
Works to rebuild the canal bed are now in progress. These will involve lining the bed with clay and compacting it, followed by testing to ensure it is watertight. The damaged wall of the culvert, which channels a stream under the canal, will also be repaired, while metal sheeting will be installed along the wall of the canal to strengthen it.
The towpath will then be reinstated with new surfacing, fencing and hedging, and all the works are due to be completed by Wednesday, 25th June.
Unique challenges
Simon Harding, one of our project managers, said: “We’re pleased to get the repair works underway and we’re aiming to reopen the canal by the end of June. There are some unique challenges involved in a repair of this scale and we’ll keep people updated on our progress.
“We know how important the Macclesfield Canal is to boaters and local people, and we would like to thank everyone for their patience and support whilst this work is being carried out. In the meantime, we’re asking everyone to stay safe and keep away from the breach site until the repairs are complete.”
Managing the water and wildlife
The canal unfortunately breached on Friday, 28 March, due to a leak on the canal bed between Bridge 51, Cowley Bridge and Bosley Lock 12.
Our emergency team helped move around 15 boats away from the breach site and installed stop planks to prevent any further loss of water. A fish rescue was carried out and temporary dams were put in place, as well flumes to transfer water through the breach site to allow us to manage water resources and maintain the canal’s water levels.
