Between Lock 6 Grindley Brook Lock and Bridge 31A Whitchurch Bypass Bridge

We are pleased to report that the three boats most impacted by the breach have now been recovered and refloated. Our focus will now turn to the work required to rebuild the canal and reopen it as soon as possible.

Given the size and scale of the repair to reinstate the canal, work is unfortunately expected to continue for much of 2026. We appreciate that some boaters on the stretch of canal north of the breach may wish to move their boat before the canal repairs are complete and are grateful that Whitchurch Marina is providing the option for boats to be moved before the breach is repaired.

Engineering investigations into the cause of the breach are ongoing, and we will publish a summary of our findings once complete. For further information, please see our FAQs regarding the breach below:

Llangollen Canal breach boating FAQs | Canal & River Trust

This week, work at the breach site will focus on recovering the three remaining boats. One boat that was winched clear of the breach before Christmas will be refloated by moving it into a dry section of canal, installing a temporary dam, and reintroducing water.

The two boats currently within the breach will also be recovered as part of the planned works. An excavator will first be brought in to carefully reprofile the steep sides of the breach, creating a gradual slope to allow the boats to be winched out for assessment and, where possible, refloating.

We will continue to provide updates as work progresses and to support boaters affected by the incident. For any questions or concerns, please contact us on 0303 040 4040 or email <[email protected].>

Water levels have continued to recover and good progress is being made on site. A number of boats have successfully re-floated as levels have risen, and assisted passage has been arranged to allow boats to move safely off the pound.

Monitoring of water levels is ongoing, and the closure remains in place while detailed repair plans are being developed.

We would like to thank boaters, local residents and businesses for their patience and cooperation while this complex incident continues to be managed. Further updates will be issued as progress continues.

The upstream winding hole has been changed from Bridge 31A Whitchurch By-Pass bridge to Bridge 33 Hassells bridge.

This is because the winding hole at Bridge 31A is no longer accessible due to the pumping arrangements.

For any questions or concerns, please get in touch with us on 0303 040 4040 or email [email protected]. Please note our customer service hours over Christmas. https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/contact-us

Since our last update, temporary dams have been installed closer to the breach to reduce the length of canal remaining dry while repair plans are developed. Water has been pumped back into the dammed sections and levels are now recovering.

Several boats in the affected area are beginning to refloat, with more expected to be fully afloat later today. One boat that was at immediate risk at the edge of the breach has been safely recovered using specialist equipment and is now secured nearby. Two boats remain within the breach and will be recovered as part of planned works.

Engineers have begun detailed investigations into the cause of the embankment failure and will continue this work into the new year. The embankment is subject to a regular inspection regime by the Trust's specialist inspectors and engineers, as is routine for all its assets. Understanding exactly what caused the embankment to be undermined will inform the preparation of a repair plan for the process of rebuilding and reopening the canal.

We will continue to support boaters affected by this incident. For any questions or concerns, please get in touch with us on 0303 040 4040 or email [email protected]. Please note our customer service hours over Christmas. https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/contact-us

We will provide further updates as soon as they are available.

A breach on the Llangollen Canal near New Mills Lift Bridge, Whitchurch, happened in the early hours of this morning (22 December).

Our teams are on site and have dammed off the affected section of canal. The priority is the safety of boaters and those in the immediate area. The towpath and canal at this point are now closed to public access.

We are carrying out initial investigations into the possible cause of the breach and will provide more details in due course. We will also seek to restore water levels either side of the breach as soon as possible and are providing support to the boaters affected and those in the immediate area either side of the breach.

If your boating plans, access, or business operations have been disrupted by this incident, please get in touch with us on 0303 040 4040 or email [email protected]

We will provide further updates as soon as they are available. For any immediate risk to life, call 999.

Please be advised that due to an incident, there is an emergency closure in place between Lock 6 Grindley Locks and Bridge 31A, Whitchurch By-Pass bridge.

Please do not approach from either direction and we will provide an update in due course.