Bridge 23 Cooper Bridge Viaduct on the River Calder. Between Battye Cut and Lk16 Cooper Bridge - Removed and reopened

Network Rail have completed the repairs and the removal of the stonework from the river. The navigation has been reopened for passage.

Network Rail have a workboat on site and are successfully removing the stonework from the river. They are also erecting scaffold overhead on the bridge to enable repairs to take place. Whilst this scaffold is in place, and overhead repairs are carried out, they have requested that the navigation remains closed beneath. The current estimate is for works to be completed by Friday 26th June 2026.

further update will be provided on Friday 26th June 2026, or sooner if works progress ahead of schedule.

Network Rail have informed us that a boat will attend on Wednesday 17th June 2026 to attempt to remove the stone from the bridge parapet that is in the river.   We will provide an update on this attempt to remove the stone on Thursday 18th June 2026.  

Please be aware that the Navigation is now closed to boat traffic. This is because the coping stones are in the canal and cannot yet be located or removed, providing an underwater obstruction.

Network Rail staff are on site and have 24 hour monitoring in place, to capture any further movement, although they are confident that the bridge is now stable. Our engineers are working with Network Rail to ensure that the Navigation and towpath can be reopened as soon as it is safe to do so.

An update will be provided as soon as it is available.

The navigation and towpath remain closed whilst works are ongoing to stabilise the bridge parapet, for the safety of boaters and towpath users.

This notice will be updated no later than 16:00, Friday 19th June.

Network Rail have updated that the bridge is at further risk of collapse. Please do not walk on the path between Battyeford Flood Gate and Lk16 Cooper Bridge. CRT staff have been mobilised to tape off the path at this time. Thank you.

We've just received notification from Network Rail that a section of the railway bridge parapet at Bridge 23, Cooper Bridge Viaduct, has fallen into the River Calder below. Network Rail are currently assessing the bridge; however, they have advised that they are currently unable to see where the stone has landed, which may have created dangerous underwater obstructions. As a precaution, we will be closing this section of navigation, along with the footpath below the bridge, until we can assess the safety of boats and pedestrians passing through in daylight tomorrow. We are also awaiting further confirmation from Network Rail regarding the safety of the remaining parapet. An update will be provided at approximately midday tomorrow, Thursday 12th June. Thanks.