Updates
12/03/2015 09:56
We are pleased to confirm that the stop planks have been removed and the canal between Dutton and Anderton is now reopened.In the last phase of works we have been able to complete various repairs, including: • 120m of piling and concrete back fill to washwalls• 45m of road widening• 4m coping repair• 5m of patch repair to the masonry wall at water level.
03/03/2015 12:34
Following feedback we want to clarify the situation relating to the Trent & Mersey canal between Anderton and Dutton.
Although the repairs at Dutton are now finished, other projects close by are continuing and the canal remains closed.
We expect the canal to re-open by close of business on the 13th March.
The canal is closed from Dutton Stop Lock to Soothill Bridge (200)
26/02/2015 16:43
The repair works at Dutton are now complete and our contractor is away from the site.
However, because of the other works that are on-going to repair wash walls in the area between Preston Brook Tunnel and Soothill Bridge (200) the canal in the area remains closed, with stop planks installed at Bridge 211.
16/02/2015 11:28
We have made good progress in the last couple of weeks and are in the position where we are ready to start re-filling the canal. This will be done in a controlled way so that we can monitor the repairs and make sure that they have been totally successful.
With that in mind and provided that everything goes well, we are anticipating being able to reopen the canal at Dutton in the week commencing 23rd February and will advise of the specific date closer to the time.
Other stoppages still affect this area of the Trent & Mersey Canal and these are taking place to the published plan. More information is available on our website or by calling our office at Red Bull on 0303 040 4040.
20/01/2015 17:10
Since the New Year we have built an access into the site which means that we have been able to start the repair project.
In the next couple of weeks we will be exposing the problem area and making sure that we have found all of the areas that need repair, and then starting that.
While there are no certainties at this point we are hopeful of completion by Easter.
We will provide a further update in the first week of February.
15/12/2014 10:49
We can now confirm that the repairs required for the canal at Dutton will commence in the first week of January with the aim of completion in the early Spring. Unfortunately we cannot give a definite end date at the moment which will depend on how well the work goes once we are on site and the completion of our investigation.
The canal will therefore be closed until this section can be reopened.
We are sorry for the difficulty that may cause people.
If you have been waiting to see how long the closure will be before deciding on your next route, please take time to look at the other stoppages that are affecting this area after Christmas and on the Rochdale Canal which will also affect the Cheshire Ring. If you want to talk this through with us we're happy to do so, please contact our office at Red Bull on 0303 040 4040 for more help.
04/12/2014 14:24
Following our response and closure of the canal last week, stop planks were installed at the two bridges closest to the site to seal off the canal while it is drained to investigate the problem. A hole about one metre long has been discovered in the original sandy lining of the canal, adjacent to the major repairs that were carried out in 2013.
A fish rescue was completed over the weekend to preserve any marine life in the canal and the stop plank installations strengthened.
Since Monday specialist Trust engineers have been carrying out extensive investigations of the problem. They are working with our contracting partners Kier to do this with the aim of repairing the canal lining as quickly as possible. Investigations are continuing and so it is too early to give a firm date for the canal to reopen – we will provide more information on that as soon as we are able and should be able to provide a more accurate timetable next week.
The 200 year old Trent & Mersey Canal embankment is constructed of sandy material in the Dutton area which makes it more susceptible to problems than other waterways built of more robust building materials. We are sorry for the inconvenience this will be causing and will work as speedily as possible to get the canal open to navigation again.
If the canal closure is causing you difficulties and you need to speak to us, please contact our office at Red Bull on 0303 040 4040.
28/11/2014 12:08
Following the closure of the canal yesterday we have found a substantial leak that needs to be repaired. The canal will remain closed as we have to remove the water from the affected section.
Over the next couple of days we will be consolidating the temporary dams that have been put in and have to carry out a fish rescue before the removal of the water can be completed.
There is more investigation to do before we can be definite about a time table for the repair which is on going and will continue for the next few days. However, we can see that the closure is likely to be a few weeks.
We will provide further updates as more information on the timetable comes available.
