Descriptions
Update 22 August 2025, 9:26am
Over the past few weeks, our teams have been working closely with neighbouring landowners to find a safe way into the canal with the equipment we need. After a lot of effort and cooperation, we're pleased to say we'll have access from Tuesday.
Once we're in, you'll start to see some changes. Over the coming weeks, our teams will be clearing back overgrown vegetation and creating safe access points to the canal. We'll also be removing the last of the debris from the culvert. This will give our engineers the chance to properly inspect the damage and begin the vital work of designing and carrying out the repairs.
Alongside this, we'll be replacing the temporary pumps we originally used to help refill the canal. These will be upgraded to more secure, better-placed pumps so that we can carefully manage water levels for our customers between Bridge 133 and Ellesmere Port.
Sadly, we've had a few incidents of vandalism to our fencing on site. If you have spotted anything unusual or have any information, please let our North West Customer Service team know by calling 0303 0404 040.
Our next update will be on or before 5th September 2025.
Update 8 August 2025, 11:20am
The water levels in the immediate area have rose following the repositioning of the dams closer to the work area and we would like to thank again all our customers for their patience and understanding during this phase. Levels are expected to rise further over the coming weekend with the installation of a further pump.
We kindly ask customers to continue monitoring their mooring lines and keep them loose where safe, as water levels may continue to fluctuate. Current access via the adjacent parkland is highly restricted and it is not feasible to route heavy machinery through this area. We are therefore pursuing access via private land on the offside, with the aim of commencing repair operations as soon as possible.
Once excavation begins, we will be able to provide a more definitive timeline. Based on similar culvert repairs, the estimated duration of the works is 12 weeks, potentially slightly longer. However, our teams are committed to reopening the canal as soon as possible. We recognise that continued towpath closure is inconvenient, but it remains necessary for safety throughout the works. Please be assured that every effort is being made to reopen the canal and towpath as soon as safely possible.
A further update will be provided on or before Friday, 22 August 2025.
Update 31 July 2025, 11:13am
Last week, our teams were extremely busy installing two additional dams closer to the culvert. This important step allowed us to set up pumping equipment and begin refilling the canal section between Bridge 133 and Ellesmere Port. We'd like to thank all our customers for their patience during this phase.
This week, customers in the affected area should start to see an improvement in water levels over the coming days. Based on current predictions, we expect levels to return to normal by this weekend. While refilling continues, we kindly ask customers to monitor their mooring lines and keep them loose where safe, as water levels may continue to fluctuate.
Once the water levels are fully restored, our next priority will be to carry out detailed investigations into the cause of the culvert leakage. These investigations will help us determine the most suitable repair methods and give us a clearer idea of the timelines involved. While it's too early to say for certain, we currently estimate the repair could take a minimum of 12 weeks and possibly longer. However, please be assured that we'll be doing everything we can to complete the culvert repair and reopen the canal as quickly and safely as possible.
A further update will be provided on or before Friday, 8 August 2025.
Update 25 July 2025, 4:07pm
This week, our teams have been working hard to make good progress on restoring the canal levels. We've successfully installed two dams closer to the culvert, which has allowed us to set up pumping, and we are now steadily refilling the section between Bridge 133 and Ellesmere Port.
Customers in this area will start to notice water levels gradually returning to normal, but please bear with us as this process will take a little time. While refilling takes place, we kindly ask all customers to keep their mooring lines loose where possible, as water levels may continue to fluctuate over the coming days.
Once the canal level is fully restored, our next steps will be to carry out detailed investigations into the cause of the issue. This will help us better understand the necessary repair methods and establish clear timelines for completing the work.
We truly appreciate everyone's patience and understanding as we work to get boats floating. Our teams remain committed to restoring water levels as quickly and safely as possible.
We'll provide a further update on or before Friday, 1 August 2025.
Update 21 July 2025, 4:18pm
Since our last update, we have been exploring the option of pumping water from Ellesmere Port to refill the canal, but following testing, this has not proven possible. In the meantime, our teams have been working to secure access to the canal closer to the leak site through third-party land and continue to work through these options.
This week, we will be installing a further two dams closer to the affected area, which will allow us to start refilling the canal between Bridge 133 and Ellesmere Port.
We want to thank our boating customers for their patience as we work to fully restore water levels in this section of the canal.
Our next update will be provided on or before Friday 25th July.
Update 18 July 2025, 4:50pm
Since yesterday, our teams have successfully installed the dams at Bridge 131 and Bridge 133. We are continuing with fish rescue operations today and have now been able to drain the affected section to prevent any further water loss through the culvert.
Our main priority today and over the weekend is to get our customers' boats floating and back in the water. Customers located between Chester and Bridge 131 should already start to see canal levels increasing. For those between Bridge 133 and Ellesmere Port, this section is proving more difficult due to access challenges and the distance between the dams. However, our teams remain focused on restoring these water levels.
We are currently assessing all available options and working to gain access to adjoining land so that we can begin over-pumping or install a flume between the dams.
We kindly ask all customers in the area to monitor their mooring lines as we begin rewatering the canal, keeping them as loose as possible where safe to do so. Our customer service team continues to contact affected customers to keep them updated.
A further update will be provided Monday, 21 July.
We thank all our boating customers for their patience and support.
Original 17 July 2025, 10:38am
Overnight there has been a significant loss of water in the pound between Chester and Ellesmere Port, on the Shropshire Union Canal. This is due to a leak at Culvert 16 which is located between Bridge 131, Knolles Bridge and Bridge 133, Backford Bridge.
Our specialist team and engineers have been working on site to reduce any further water loss. We are in the process of installing dams around the effected area. This will allow us to investigate the damage and plan for any necessary repairs.
If you have a boat moored in the area and are not staying onboard, we kindly ask that you return and check your mooring lines. Due to the reduced canal level, the lines may need to be loosened.
The team will continue to be on site today with a further update tomorrow, Friday, 18 July.
