Updates
24/09/2015 14:32
The Rufford Branch re-opened to navigation this morning at 9am. Staff have been manning the locks on Rufford Branch today and will also be on site tomorrow and Saturday from 8am to 4pm, to ensure speedy passage for all boats. Please follow staff instructions at all times so that we manage water resource levels to assist boaters.
For Ribble Link customers travelling from the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, New Lane Swing Bridge (Br.31) and Crabtree Swing Bridge (Br.32) will be manned from 10am to 11am tomorrow should you require assistance.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any enquiries regarding the Rufford works.
23/09/2015 15:25
Further to the update of 22 September, the dams are being removed today and navigation will re-open for 9am tomorrow morning. Staff will be manning all locks on Rufford branch from 8am to 4pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, to ensure speedy passage for all boats. Please follow staff instructions at all times so that we manage water resource levels to assist boaters.
For Ribble Link customers travelling from the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, please be at New Lane Swing Bridge (Br.31) for 10am on Thursday and Friday and our team will assist customers through New Lane and Crabtree Swing Bridges (31 & 32).
We wish everyone a safe journey home and welcome any feedback that you may have about our communications during this stoppage period. Please provide feedback to us on enquiries.northwest@canalrivertrust.org.uk or via telephone on 0303 040 4040.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any enquiries regarding the Rufford works.
22/09/2015 15:01
The contractor has made good progress over the weekend and we started to fill the canal yesterday afternoon. The area will be closely monitored today to check for any residual leakage. If the tests go well, as we hope, the dams will be removed on Wednesday and the canal will re-open on Thursday morning at 9am.
Staff will be manning all locks on Rufford branch 8am to 4pm on the Thursday, Friday & Saturday. To ensure speedy passage for all boats, please follow staff instructions at all times so that we manage water resource levels to assist boaters.
For Ribble Link customers travelling from the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, please be at New Lane Swing Bridge (Br.31) for 10am on the Thursday and Friday and our team will assist customers through New Lane and Crabtree Swing Bridges (31 & 32).
Customer update meetings are as follows:
- 23 September at Fettlers Wharf Café at 9-10am. Tea, coffee and bacon butties will be available.
- 23 September at Barton Village Hall at 6pm to 6:30pm. Tea, coffee and cake will be available. **Please note change of time**
If you are affected but cannot make these dates then please contact our office on 0303 0404040. You can also find some helpful information on our Rufford Stoppage Q&A which can be viewed by following this link: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/11923-rufford-branch-stoppage-q-and-a-september-2015.pdf
18/09/2015 14:34
Work has been completed on reinstating the canal bed over the new pipes with a 'rawmat' liner and a 500mm layer of clay which has been puddled using a 'sheep's foot roller' replacing the traditional method of a flock of sheep. Construction of the outlet side embankment and 6 metres of new sheet piling was completed this week. Work will be taking place over next weekend to construct the inlet side embankment and sheet piling.
Next week, work will commence to start re-watering the canal and removing the temporary dams. A 'stilling test' will then take place to ensure that the re-watered canal is watertight before re-opening to navigation. The contractors will rebuild the headwalls at either end of the culvert using masonry recovered from site when the canal has re-opened, this work will not affect navigation. Please follow this link to view the full notice with photos: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/11931-rufford-branch-stoppage-update-18-september-2015.pdf
The canal is due to reopen on Friday 25 September and we have an operations plan in place to ensure that boat movements are as efficient as possible. Due to the volume of boat movement expected and water resource considerations, it is essential that customers follow the advice given by our lock keepers, who will be on site for a few days manning the locks and bridges to help boaters.
More information regarding the operations plan will be issued on Monday 21 September.
Customer update meetings are as follows:
- 21 September at Scarisbrick Marina at 3pm to 4pm. Tea, coffee and cake will be available.
- 23 September at Fettlers Wharf Café at 9-10am. Tea, coffee and bacon butties will be available.
- 23 September at Barton Village Hall at 6pm to 6:30pm. Tea, coffee and cake will be available. **Please note change of time**
If you are affected but cannot make these dates then please contact our office on 0303 0404040. You can also find some helpful information on our Rufford Stoppage Q&A which can be viewed by following this link: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/11923-rufford-branch-stoppage-q-and-a-september-2015.pdf
15/09/2015 13:21
Customer update meetings are as follows:
- 16 September at Fettlers Wharf Café at 3pm to 4pm
- 17 September at Canal & River Trust Galgate Office at 2pm to 3pm
- 21 September at Scarisbrick Marina at 3pm to 4pm. Tea, coffee and cake will be available.
- 23 September at Fettlers Wharf Café at 9-10am. Tea, coffee and bacon butties will be available.
- 23 September at Barton Village Hall at 2pm to 3pm. Tea, coffee and cake will be available.
If you are affected but cannot make these dates then please contact our office on 0303 0404040. You can also find some helpful information on our Rufford Stoppage Q&A which can be viewed by following this link: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/11923-rufford-branch-stoppage-q-and-a-september-2015.pdf
An update on the works will be issued on Friday 18 September 2015.
11/09/2015 09:04
Work has progressed well this week excavating out the old timber culvert from the canal bed and installing the two 750mm diameter plastic pipes which will replace it.
Work involves excavating a 4 metre wide trench across the canal and retaining the silt and clay with a temporary 'tonne bag' wall. A 'terram' lining is then put into the trench and the pipes packed with aggregate fill material up to canal bed level. As the canal is built on peat, the new pipes will be connected by 'rocker' pipes because of possible local subsidence. It is expected that laying of the pipes will be completed by the end of Sunday.
Next week work will commence on installing a waterproof 'rawmat' lining and a 500mm layer clay on the canal bed over the new pipes.
Good ground conditions and dry warm weather conditions have helped the Contractor make good progress. It is expected that the canal will re-open on 25th September as planned.
Please follow this link to view the update with photographs: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/11861-rufford-branch-stoppage-update-11-september-2015.pdf
10/09/2015 07:33
Further to the update last week, we have arranged further visits to Fettlers Wharf, Scarisbrick Marina and Galgate. These visits are as follows:
- Scarisbrick Marina – Saturday 12 September at 10am to 11am
- Fettlers Wharf Marina – Wednesday 16 September 3pm to 4pm
- Galgate – Thursday 17 September 2pm to 3pm
If you are affected but cannot make these dates then please contact our office on 0303 0404040.
An update on the works will be issued tomorrow.
04/09/2015 16:34
Plant and machinery has now been brought onto site and contractors have been busy finishing upgrading German's Lane and installing bogmat access tracks to both sides of the culvert. Works to provide access to the canal bed through the towpath embankment is finished and work is progressing well on breaking through the inlet embankment.
An over pumping system has been installed to enable water in the culvert to be diverted through a pipe to provide a dry working area. Work to remove the silt and clay from the canal bed to expose the collapsed culvert continues.
Next week, work will start on excavating the culvert and installing the replacement pipes. Work is on programme to enable the canal to open to boats on 25 September.
We met with boaters at Fettlers Marina, Scarisbrick and at Galgate as arranged. Individual arrangements are being made as agreed to get boaters back to their winter moorings as soon as possible after the canal re-opens. Further update meetings at these venues are being arranged and all boaters are welcome to attend. The dates and times for these will be confirmed next Wednesday.
The next progress update will be issued on Friday 11 September 2015
Please follow this link to view the full notice with pictures: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/11809-rufford-branch-stoppage-update-4-september-2015.pdf
28/08/2015 07:53
Agreement has now been reached with Network Rail to bring plant and materials across the German's Lane level crossing on the Preston to Ormskirk branch line in between the trains so as not to disrupt services. Large plant will be brought across at night when train services are stopped to ensure safety. The Contractor will now complete installation of the temporary access and haul road from Moss Lane to the culvert, stopped during discussions with Network Rail.
Our Engineers have met with the Environment Agency and obtained Flood Defence Consent for the final repair option which will involve replacing the failed timber culvert with two 750mm plastic pipes and repairing the canal bed with new clay. Two new headwalls will be constructed, re-using the existing stone where possible.
Work commenced last weekend on excavating the eastern embankment and installing a temporary pipe to carry water from the culvert as required by the EA. This will enable the excavator to get into the canal and start excavating the canal bed to expose the culvert next week.
In order to ensure that the canal is opened as soon as possible to minimise disruption to boats, the Contractor will be working 7 days a week, and 24 hours a day where necessary.
Due to the delay caused by obtaining access to German's Lane level crossing, the canal is now expected to remain closed until 25 September 2015.
Please follow this link to view the update with pictures: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/11723-rufford-branch-stoppage-update-28-august-2015.pdf
25/08/2015 14:01
Further to the update of 19 August 2015, we have arranged for Canal & River Trust team members to visit Fettlers Wharf Marina during the afternoon of Wednesday 26 August between 1pm and 4pm, Scarisbrick Marina on afternoon of Friday 28 August between 1pm and 4pm.
We will also be available at the Canal & River Trust Galgate office on Wednesday 2 September between 1pm and 4pm.
We will meet individually with boaters affected to answer enquiries directly.
If you are affected but cannot make these dates then please contact our office on 0303 0404040 or e-mail us at enquiries.northwest@canalrivertrust.org.uk.
The next progress update will be issued on Friday 28 August.
19/08/2015 16:59
We've had to install a second dam further away from the collapsed culvert and this is now in place, this is for safety reasons to protect operatives, and the work area, in case of flooding.
Network Rail has put back the date that we will be able to bring materials over the railway, this will now be next Monday rather than tonight. As a consequence of this we met with local farmers and obtained their consent to take the excavators across their fields so that the excavator will be in the canal for weekend and will start excavation works on Saturday.
The Environment Agency confirmed that larger culvert capacity was required, so our engineers have redesigned the works to be undertaken by the contractor. We expect to receive EA approval to this design imminently.
Vegetation has been removed under the supervision of our environmental team, because of the presence of water voles in the area.
The delays in getting materials and equipment to site mean that the completion date for works will be later than previously anticipated. The works will be completed on 25 September, and our contractors will be working longer days and weekends, with some 24-hour working during the later stages of the work, to ensure that this is achieved.
We understand that this will be disappointing news for boaters waiting to continue their journeys. However this does give us sufficient time to provide Ribble Link passages for all boaters who need to return to home moorings, with boaters on the Lancaster able to leave on booked passages.
We have arranged to visit Fettlers Wharf Marina during the afternoon of Wednesday 26 August and Scarisbrick Marina on afternoon of Friday 28 August. We will be available at the Canal & River Trust Galgate office on Wednesday 2 September. We will meet individually with boaters affected and will be able to provide information and where necessary to rebook passages on the Ribble Link. If you are affected but cannot make these dates then please contact our office on 0303 0404040.
Please note that we do not cover the costs incurred by boaters during unplanned stoppages (section 9 of the boat licence). We may offer support, as we have recently, where the disruption is considered to be unacceptable, for example to boaters affected by two long unplanned stoppages such as the Lancaster stoppage, near the Lune Aqueduct, and Rufford branch stoppage.
The next progress update will be issued on Friday 28 August.
18/08/2015 17:36
Further to the update of 14 August 2015, our teams have been liaising with Network Rail today regarding access to the site for materials and equipment.
An update will be issued tomorrow (19 August 2015).
14/08/2015 11:44
This week the Contractor has been delivering to site plant, equipment and materials including bogmats, as well as aggregate for the construction of the temporary access track. Work to install the track will start next week now that negotiations have been completed with Network Rail to allow access for materials and plant over German's Lane level crossing. Network Rail is legally required to agree a method of moving all plant and materials over crossings. It has agreed that our contractors can start to move materials next week, with the heavier materials having to be moved overnight to prevent delays to rail traffic.
A full ground investigation has been carried out this week. The canal sits on peat which will have a big impact on the design of the culvert replacement. The culvert is damaged beyond repair so will be replaced with new plastic pipes that will pass under the canal, connect with Black Brook and take storm water from adjacent fields. Our Hydrology Team has completed a 'water catchment analysis' in order to calculate the size of the replacement pipe and a meeting has been held on site with the Environment Agency as its approval is needed for the proposals (because the Black Brook is designated as a Main River). Once the temporary access track has been installed, work can commence on excavating the canal bed and exposing the damaged culvert.
Our project team is meeting with Kier today to agree the programme for works. This will include working long days, and weekends, to reduce the length of time to carry out the work so that we can get the canal reopened and boats moving as soon as possible. A further update will be provided on Tuesday 18 August.
Full notice with photo's can be viewed on this link: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/11579-rufford-branch-stoppage-update-14-august-2015.pdf
07/08/2015 09:33
Following the culvert collapse on 22 July, temporary dams were quickly installed, an emergency fish rescue undertaken and an over pumping system installed to transfer water around the de- watered section to ensure a full water supply is maintained to the rest of the canal.
We have reviewed the CCTV footage from the culvert survey which shows more extensive collapse of the timber culvert than had been anticipated. Our engineers are looking at a number of repair options. The final repair option chosen will require the consent of the Environment Agency and we are discussing these options with them.
As the area is known to be inhabited by water voles, our ecologist will be carrying out a full survey before any work takes place.
This week the Contractor has been installing a temporary access to the culvert from Moss Lane and forming a site compound in a field adjacent to the canal. They will then be strimming back vegetation from the canal embankment in advance of work starting.
It is expected that the canal will remain closed until 14 September 2015.
Please follow this link to view the notice with photograph: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/11537-rufford-branch-stoppage-update-7-august-2015.pdf
Please follow this link to view a customer information notice regarding the recent North West closures at Lune Embankment and Rufford Branch: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/11541-rufford-branch-and-lune-embankment-customer-information-7-august-2015.pdf
An update will be issued on Friday 14 August 2015.
31/07/2015 11:11
Follow the link to view full notice with photograph: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/media/library/11477-rufford-branch-stoppage-update-31-july-2015.pdf
31/07/2015 09:47
Our contractors have been busy on site putting temporary access in so that vehicles and materials can get to this remote site. The access and site compound will be completed next week.
We reviewed the CCTV footage from the culvert survey which shows more extensive collapse of the timber culvert than had been anticipated. Our engineers looked at a number of repair options, and have now worked up the detail of the most appropriate solution to replace the culvert with new pipes and to allow the navigation to reopen as soon as possible. This is being discussed with the Environment Agency and is subject to consent being given.
A water vole survey is underway.
The canal is expected to re-open on 14 September.
The enforcement team has been advised of the stoppage and will take this into consideration when contacting boaters impacted by the stoppage who may require a longer stay than usual on some visitor moorings.
Once the contractors commence on site, they will be working long days and weekends to deliver the scheme as quickly as possible.
An update will be issued on Friday 7 August 2015.
24/07/2015 14:50
Rufford Branch Update Friday 24th July 2015
A temporary dam was installed overnight by our contractors on Wednesday, and we are now pumping water past the drained off area of canal.
The two stranded boats were able to move yesterday.
Our engineers are on site and a CCTV survey of the collapsed culvert is taking place today. As soon as we know the outcome of the CCTV survey we will be completing the design for the repair works and the contractor will start work.
We estimate that the canal will be closed until the end of August.
An update will be provided on Friday 31 July at 2pm.
22/07/2015 13:06
Further to this mornings notice regarding the emergency stoppage on the Rufford Branch at Lock 5
Our engineers have been on site this morning and have found that a culvert has collapsed and are currently working on a plan for the repairs.
An update will be issued Friday 24th July 2015
