Rochdale Canal at Lock 48 to Lock 34

Detail

From Date: 27/07/2018 07:00

To Date: 24/09/2018 09:00 inclusive

Type: Navigation Closure

Reason: Water resources

Is the towpath closed? No

Location

Closest waterway: Rochdale Canal

Starts at: Lock 48

Ends at: Lock 34

Updates

21/09/2018 12:23

Following increased rainfall over the last month we are pleased to be in a position to reopen the summit section of the Rochdale canal without restrictions from Monday 24th September.

Water levels in the reservoirs that feed this section of the canal are still low which means although we’ve reopened this section there may be days where we may need to close due to low water levels. We will do our best to ensure these days are kept to a minimum and to give as much notice as possible although some days we may only be able to provide notices a few hours in advance

07/09/2018 16:38

Further to our recent update regarding the opening of the Calderdale section (Lock 1 to 34) of the Rochdale canal we are pleased to offer a restricted opening of the summit starting Saturday 15th September.

In overview the canal will remain closed at the Summit on Mondays and Fridays until further notice.  We are also introducing overnight closures on the other days of the week.

The canal will be locked at Locks 34 and 44.  The first locks each evening will be put on at 4pm and our teams will work with boaters in summit sections after that time to ensure their passage out.  Moorings are available immediately below these locks for people arriving after 4 or during one of the closed days.

The canal will be reopened at 9am on open days.

The long-range forecast for this area has predicted below average rainfall in September which may affect water supplies to the canal. Subsequently although we’ve reopened this section there may be days where we won’t be able to reopen due to low water levels. We will do our best to ensure these days are kept to a minimum and to give as much notice as possible although some days we may only be able to provide notices a few hours in advance.

In order to maintain this opportunity, we would appreciate that boaters wait to share locks wherever possible, close all gates and paddles and do not to empty or fill a lock if someone else can make use of the water.

If you want to know more about this issue or the canal generally please contact our office at Red Bull on 0303 040 4040

29/08/2018 15:50

Due to the recent rainfall we are pleased to advise that we are able to reopen the Rochdale Canal between locks 1 to 34 on Friday 31st August. However, we will need to have overnight closures in place for the Hebden Bridge area (Locks 5 to 13 where the opening times will be 9am until 4pm every day.  Tuel Lock flight will return to normal operation.

The section of the Rochdale Canal between lock 48 and lock 34 will remain closed while our teams carry out repairs to reduce water leakage through the locks. We hope to be able to provide a further update on the progress of these works in the next few weeks.

The long range forecast for this area has predicted below average rainfall in September which may affect water supplies to the canal. Subsequently although we’ve reopened this section there may be days where we won’t be able to reopen due to low water levels. We will do our best to ensure these days are kept to a minimum and to give as much notice as possible although some days we may only be able to provide notices a few hours in advance.

In order to maintain this opportunity we would appreciate that boaters wait to share locks wherever possible, close all gates and paddles and do not to empty or fill a lock if someone else can make use of the water.

If you want to know more about this issue or the canal generally please contact our office at Red Bull on 0303 040 4040

27/07/2018 10:39

With regret, due to the serious shortfall in the water supply, we are having to bring forward the temporary closure of a large section of the Rochdale Canal with immediate effect as the hot, dry weather continues. Even if there is some welcome rainfall this weekend it is unlikely to make any immediate difference to the Canal water levels in the short term.

The temporary closure between locks 1 and 48 (from Sowerby Bridge to Littleborough) was due to take effect from Monday 6 August; however in practice, with water supplies continuing to decline, we can no longer support anything other than very local boat traffic in this section. The closure will also now include the stretch between locks 6 and 19 which we had originally planned to keep open under restriction for a period each day. We appreciate that the boats moored between Locks 6-19 require access to boating facilities. To support this we will be operating a booking system 7 days a week between 12pm and 2pm, this is to conserve water and maintain levels. We will allow two boats per day.

Should water supplies increases we will be able to review the number of boats we can assist through this section. All bookings must be made 24 hours in advance, weekend bookings must be made by no later than 4:00pm on Fridays.

All bookings are subject to change due to water levels. This booking system is only to allow our customers to get access to boating facilities at Hebden bridge below lock 9.

To make a booking please call our Red Bull office on 0303 0404 040

Description

Due to the continued drawdown of the reservoirs because of prolonged low rainfall and with the forecast for further dry weather, the Trust is reluctantly closing sections of the Rochdale Canal between locks 1 and 48 (from Sowerby Bridge to Littleborough), commencing on Monday 6 August. A short stretch of the navigation between locks 6 and 19 (east of Mytholmroyd to Todmorden) is an exception and will be restricted to the period between 10am and 2pm under a local booking system. 

The locks, 19 to 48, will be padlocked closed and the gates will be ashed up to reduce leakage. To prevent use, measures will be taken to make the locks inoperable. 

It’s not clear how long the closure will last for but it’s likely to be throughout August and potentially beyond if there aren’t significant and sustained periods of rainfall. While the closure will prevent through navigation of the canal by boats, the towpath will remain open for visitors and the local community to enjoy. 

In the meantime, boaters can help conserve water by: 

    • Sharing locks where possible and making the best use of the water available.
    • Ensuring paddles are fully closed once they’ve passed through a lock.
    • Aiming for minimal contact when navigating through locks by ensuring gates are fully open as they pass through.
    • Pushing gates open using a boat can damage the gate lining, increasing its leakage.