Lock 83 to Lock 81, Rochdale Canal

  We have undertaken a CCTV survey of the adjoining third-party assets and identified the main issue; we're now moving into the next stage of work and are preparing the plans and agreements needed to carry out more detailed on‑site investigations. Over the next couple of weeks, our engineers will be carrying out investigations that will include setting up the site to allow excavation work to take place.  These investigation works will enable our engineers to finalise the detailed design prior to undertaking the permanent repair work.   We will provide a further update on or before 4 May.

Our teams have been working hard to stabilise water levels along the affected section of the Rochdale Canal.  We have seen an encouraging improvement over the weekend and over next few days we expect water levels at New Islington Marina to normalise. Once levels are fully restored, our engineering teams will be able to get started on their detailed investigations. These investigations are thorough and will take several weeks to complete. Following this, we will be able to confirm a programme of repair works.   We'll provide a further update on or before 20 April 2026

Navigation remains closed between Lock 81 and Lock 82 on the Rochdale Canal following the failure of a temporary repair to a culvert. This has resulted in low water levels along this section of the canal, including New Islington Marina. Initial investigations have confirmed that the temporary repair failed due to a combination of factors. Our engineering teams are continuing to investigate these in detail, alongside identifying the requirements for a permanent repair. We understand how unsettling and disruptive reduced water levels can be for our customers. Please be assured that our priority is to protect affected boaters and to restore water levels as safely and quickly as possible. A strong focus remains on returning New Islington Marina to full water levels and improving conditions in the surrounding area. From today, our contractors will be on site to begin work to install temporary dams. These will stabilise the canal and prevent any further loss of water. Once the dam is securely in place, we will carry out a controlled refill of the canal. This process will take several days, but at this stage we expect water levels to begin to normalise by the weekend. In parallel with these immediate actions, the Trust's engineers are also working to confirm ownership of the land adjacent to the site, as liaison with the relevant landowners will be required to plan and deliver a long‑term, permanent repair. A further update will be provided on or before 13 April.

Our team and engineers have now carried out detailed inspections,and a leak has been identified below Lock 81. We are now planning a method of repair.   We will provide further update Friday 17 April

Thank you for your understanding and patience

Navigation will be closed between Lock 83 and Lock 81 on the Rochdale Canal to allow our teams and engineers to carry out a detailed inspection of a leak located below Lock 81, which has resulted in low water levels.

A further update will be provided on Friday 3 April, on or before 4 PM.

Please note that a separate notice is also in place for Locks 54 to 81 on the Rochdale Canal.