Updates
14/06/2024 14:36
We are pleased to inform you that works have been successful at Lock 7, Marple, on the Peak Forest Canal and the flight is now open.
Our volunteers are on site today to assist with any boaters wishing to travel on the flight.
We would like to thank all our boating customers for their patience whilst we carried out these major repair works.
10/06/2024 16:02
We are pleased to inform you that works are still progressing well at Lock 7, Marple, on the Peak Forest Canal. We are now in the final stages of completing the gate installations and related works, readying the area for our teams to start testing.
So far, we have successfully reconstructed the failed lock wall and installed ground anchors on the offside wall. The installation of the lock gates began as scheduled, and we are moving towards the testing phase, which includes removing on-site equipment.
We will provide a further update on Friday, 14 June, when the canal is reopened.
30/05/2024 15:35
We are pleased to report that the refurbishment works at Lock 7, Marple, on the Peak Forest Canal are progressing smoothly and according to plan. During the refurbishment, we encountered additional movement on the offside lock wall. To address this, we are implementing anchoring measures, which extend our work beyond the initially projected end date of May 24th. However, we still anticipate reopening the canal on June 14th.
So far, we have completed the reconstruction of the failed lock wall and the installation of ground anchors on the offside wall. Our teams will start the process of installing the lock gates on Monday, which will then be followed by testing of the lock and removal of on-site equipment.
Our team is working extended hours and weekend shifts to expedite the process, We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and greatly appreciate your understanding and cooperation throughout. A further update will be provided on 10 June 2024.
18/04/2024 15:07
During the refurbishment works at Lock 7, Marple, we have encountered additional movement on the offside lock wall.
To address this issue, we are implementing anchoring measures, extending our work beyond the initially projected end date of 24 May. We anticipate reopening the lock on the 14 June. Those involved with the repairs are working extended hours and weekend shifts to expedite the process and minimise disruption to boaters.
The suspected movement was identified before Christmas, prompting us to commence investigations early in the new year. Following soil investigations and engineering designs, we have opted to install "platypus" anchors as the optimal solution. These anchors are discreet and will not protrude into the lock, ensuring both effectiveness and minimal visual impact.
The Trust have considered and consulted on the risks and consequences of failure if we were to re-open the lock without the additional works. The consensus is that completing the repairs now will result in significant cost savings compared to remobilisation in the future. Moreover, it will prevent the need for further closures of the canal at a later stage and remove the risk of a significant failure of the wall and extensive costs and disruption later in the summer.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and greatly appreciate your understanding and cooperation throughout this process.
A further update will be provided in May.
28/03/2024 11:18
Following on from our update in February, we would like to offer a further insight to the repair work at Lock 7, on the Marple Flight, Peak Forest Canal.
Our contractors have finished installing the concrete piling, and over the coming weeks our engineers will conduct thorough integrity checks on each of the installed piles. Once completed, piling caps will be added, and a structural concrete will be poured as our teams work towards rebuilding the lock chamber.
The repair is progressing well, and we anticipate the works to be completed on schedule, with navigation resuming on Friday 24 May.
We would like to take the opportunity to thank all our customers for your continued patience and understanding during these works, and we will continue to keep you updated as work progresses.
A further update will be provided mid-April.
12/02/2024 16:49
We would like to offer a further update on our plans to repair Lock 7, on the Marple Flight, Peak Forest Canal.
This week our contractors have started the process of filling the lock with stone, which enables machinery to cross the area safely and stabilise the lock walls.
The next steps will include the installation of concrete piles, this is due to commence from Monday 26 February, we estimate this process to take approximately four weeks. Once the pilings are installed our contractors will start to dismantle the existing lock stonework, followed by the removal of the ground around the lock chamber.
Once the lock and the ground works have been completed, our contractors will begin rebuilding the lock chamber, and focus on the reinstatement of the lock gates, this work will run through April until May.
Whilst the repair will require substantial work, we anticipate the works to be completed, and navigation to resume on Friday 24 May.
We would like to take the opportunity to thank all our customers for their patience and understanding during these works, and we will continue to keep you updated as work progresses.
A further update will be provided mid-March.
30/01/2024 14:21
We would like to offer a further update into the closure at Lock 7, on the Marple Flight, Peak Forest Canal.
In autumn, 2023, it was discovered that the towpath side lock wall had suffered significant movement which prevented the safe operation of the lock. This has led to a subsequent requirement to dismantle the lock wall and rebuild it.
Prior to December our engineering team conducted work to redesign the lock and to obtain the required permissions to facilitate the lock rebuild and repair.
In the recent weeks, our contractors have formed the site compound, completed the necessary vegetation removal, and concluded extensive ground investigations.
The next stage of the repair includes removal of the lock gates which will commence this week, following this piling works are due to commence from Tuesday 20 February onwards.
Whilst the repair will require substantial work and the lock will remain closed for an extended period, now that work has commenced on site, we will be able to provide further updates as work progresses through the pivotal stages of the repair.
A further update will be provided in February.
18/12/2023 13:33
Our teams are currently in the process of undertaking ground investigations which will assist with the final design for the repair to Lock 7, Marple Flight on the Peak Forest Canal.
Once the design phase is completed, we're hopeful the works to rebuild the lock can commence in the new year from January onwards.
We will continue to provide progress updates as soon as more information is readily available regarding the repair phase in the new year.
For the most up to date information about our navigations, please follow the link here.
11/10/2023 11:37
Our teams are currently in the design phase for the repair to Lock 7, Marple Flight. Whilst we are currently unable to advise when the lock flight will re-open at this stage, it is unlikely that navigation will resume before Easter 2024.
We appreciate this is disappointing news, the works to repair the lock are substantial, however our teams will endeavour to advance on this timeframe.
In the meantime, our local team, with the help of our volunteers, have completed vegetation works along the lock flight and we are reviewing what further works we can do over the winter to make the most of the extended closure.
We will continue to provide updates as soon as we know more.
For the most up to date information about our navigations, please follow the link here.
01/09/2023 16:11
We are sorry for the continued disruption experienced by the closure of Lock 7 on the Marple flight. The detailed engineering survey carried out on the lock last week has concluded that the lock wall has moved substantially over a short period of time. The results indicate that, unfortunately, the lock cannot be operated safely, either by customers, or on the basis of managed passage, and that it would pose a substantial risk to anyone attempting to operate the lock or navigate through it.
The repair will require substantial work and the lock will remain closed for an extended period of time. Whilst this is disappointing news, we are evaluating the design and method of the repair and will be doing our best to make sure it is prioritised in our works programme as soon as possible. Our engineering team and contractors will be making sure that the design is both robust and cost effective. We will keep customers fully updated throughout and share any further updates including expected start and completion dates as soon as possible. In addition to our apologies, we share the frustration that this unplanned and costly work will have on the navigation, particularly given the substantial and extensive work undertaken earlier this year to secure water resources for the Peak Forest canal.
If you require any further information of have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at enquiries.northwest@canalrivertrust.org.uk.
For the most up to date information about our navigations please follow the link here.
25/08/2023 15:19
Please be advised navigation remains closed along the Marple Lock Flight of the Peak Forest Canal due to the movement of the lock chamber wall at Lock 7.
Our contractors have been to site to carry out the in-depth survey that will help determine what works are required. The findings within the survey are currently being analysed, we anticipate the results will be ready next week.
A further update will be provided by Friday 1 September.
18/08/2023 12:25
Following our investigations yesterday at Lock 7 on the Peak Forest Canal, we have found significant subsidence of the lock side, along with movement of the lock chamber wall.
Our engineers are now in the process of arranging specialist contractors to carry out an in-depth survey of the lock which will be carried out next week. Once this survey has been carried out, we will be able to provide a further update regarding what works are required.
A further update will be provided by Friday 25 August.
