Bridge 38 to Bridge 39, Macclesfield, Macclesfield Canal

We are pleased to advise navigation has now resumed between Bridge 38, Black Road Bridge and Bridge 39, Hollands Bridge on the Macclesfield Canal following a successful testing period.

The towpath will remain closed to complete further works. We politely request all customers to navigate through the area with care and to listen to any advice that may be given by the team onsite.

A further update will be provided Friday 11 June.

Works onsite to repair the failed culvert between Bridge 38, Black Road Bridge and Bridge 39, Hollands Bridge on the Macclesfield Canal are progressing well, with a view to re-water the section over the weekend. Testing will be completed early next week and we are hopeful to resume navigation in time for the Spring Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May.

A further update will be provided on Wednesday 26 May.

Since investigations revealed the failed culvert between Bridge 38, Black Road Bridge and Bridge 39, Hollands Bridge on the Macclesfield Canal, works on site have progressed well. Stop planks have been installed, with water flow managed by over-pumping to maintain levels along the canal. Additional bunds to allow a safe working environment have been installed and the existing failed culvert has been removed.

Further inspections have resulted in a simpler method of repair, a new section of plastic pipe has replaced the section of failed culvert, connecting into the pipework that was found within the old masonry culvert, significantly reducing the works and time required. Works are now underway to protect this with a surround of concrete.

We will then remove the safety bunds and reinstate the clay canal bed over the coming weeks with a view to re-water this section and resume navigation, following a successful testing period.

A further update on progress made onsite will be provided by Wednesday 19 May.

Further works onsite will then need to take place to complete the connections and the towpath may need to remain closed during these works. Our teams and contractors remain committed, and we endeavour to minimise the requirement for this closure.

Your nearest water points are:

Downstream - Bosley Services

Upstream - Near to Bridge 15, Brownhills Bridge

Investigations are now complete between Bridge 38, Black Road Bridge and Bridge 39, Hollands Bridge on the Macclesfield Canal and our teams have found the culvert has failed and requires replacement.  

Our contractors have already started onsite carrying out a fish rescue and removing a third party owned wall to allow access to the site.

Over the next coming weeks, we will be establishing a safe, controlled working environment to create a dry working area and managing water flows by installing pumps over the culvert to be able to remove the existing culvert.

Our contractors have committed to working seven days a week to be able to re-open navigation as soon as safely possible. Whilst there is a considerable amount of work that is required for navigation to resume, we anticipate works will be complete by the end of June.

Your nearest water points are:

Downstream - Bosley Services

Upstream - Near to Bridge 15, Brownhills Bridge

A further update on progress onsite will be provided Wednesday 5 May.

For the safety of our customers and to protect the integrity of the canal, stop planks have been placed in the canal at Bridge 38, Black Road Bridge and Bridge 39, Hollands Bridge on the Macclesfield Canal to prevent access to the affected area.

We will be dewatering the area early next week to allow our engineers to fully inspect the culvert and organise CCTV surveys which will allow us to create a method of repair and establish timescales.

A further update will be provided by Wednesday 7 April.

Please be advised navigation is closed between Bridge 38, Black Road Bridge and Bridge 39, Hollands Bridge on the Macclesfield Canal due an issue with a culvert.

Our teams are investigating the issue to be able to create a suitable method of repair.

An update will be provided Monday 29 March.