Bridge 80, Bennetts Bridge to Ellesmere Port, Shropshire Union Canal

Updates

04/02/2021 10:18

We are pleased to advise the pumps are successfully abstracting a sufficient water supply from the River Gowy and water levels are normalising on the northern section of the Shropshire Union Canal.Navigation can now resume between Bridge 80, Bennett's Bridge and Ellesmere Port, noting the ongoing closures at Bridge 80, Bennett's Bridge and between Lock 10 and Lock 11. Please note, the pumps have been installed just below Lock 10, we politely request all customers to avoid the area when possible.

03/02/2021 12:05

The pumps have been installed close to Lock 10, Wharton's Lock on the Shropshire Union Canal and are now pumping water from the River Gowy into the canal to restore the water levels downstream.

Our teams will continue to monitor the levels today and ensure the pumps are working correctly before navigation can reopen.

A further update will be provided tomorrow morning, Thursday 4 February.

29/01/2021 17:40

Our teams across the Shropshire Union Canal have met onsite and agreed a short-term strategy for managing the water levels between Bridge 80, Bennetts Bridge and Ellesmere Port, however navigation remains closed whilst we wait for the arrival of the pumps which we allow us to abstract water from the River Gowy.

The pumps are now expected to be on site early next week and our teams have started to install access so we can begin abstracting water from the river once the pumps have been installed.

A further update will be provided Friday 5 February.

Description

Please be advised, navigation is closed on the Shropshire Union Canal between Bridge 80, Bennetts Bridge and Ellesmere Port due to the decreasing water levels in relation to the breach between Lock 10, Wharton's Lock and Lock 11, Beeston Iron Lock.

Whilst a sufficient water feed is being supplied at the emergency culvert works at Bridge 80, water is being lost at the breach site due to an issue with the dam in place. We are working with teams across the Shropshire Canal to steady the flow, however ultimately, pumps are needed to extract water from the River Gowy to be able to supply a sufficient feed downstream. Due to high demand in the North West, this will take 2-3 days to install.

A further update will be provided Friday 29 January.