Updates
25/10/2023 16:30
Our teams have completed the final stages of the repair to Lock 69 on the Wigan Flight. The cill and apron have been installed and we are now awaiting the cement to cure before replenishing the pound ready for navigation to resume.
However, we're extremely sorry to advise that this will take longer than we anticipated, following consultation with our engineers, and the suppliers of the concrete, it has been deemed necessary to delay the opening of Lock 69. The strength of the concrete on Friday would not be sufficiently strong enough to deal with the operation of opening and closing the gates. Consequently, it would also be a risk to the newly fitted cill, the concrete apron, and could compromise the fixings.
We are aware that there are a number of customers that have been patiently waiting to access Lock 69, as a result of this necessary delay we have taken the decision to delay the planned Winter Works Stoppage at Lock 68 & Lock 70 until Monday 13 November, this will give any affected customers an extra week to navigate through the flight.
Due to the concrete requiring additional time to set and reach a strength suitable for operation we will now be removing the dams to replenish the levels on Monday 30 October with the flight opening from 8.30 on Tuesday 31 October.
20/10/2023 15:01
Works continue to progress well to repair Lock 69 on the Wigan Flight. Whilst we have experienced some delay to the repairs today, we are hopeful we can make up for this on Monday and be on track to re-open navigation on Friday 27 October.
A further update will be provided Wednesday 25 October.
13/10/2023 14:25
Progress continues on and offsite to repair Lock 69 on the Wigan Flight as we enter a critical time in our works.
The new cill and other required replacement parts have been fabricated this week. Next week, our team will continue to prepare the lock chamber and pour the concrete ready to install the new parts and cill.
Our teams continue to work hard to ensure navigation re-opens before the end of October, with works currently still on track to be complete by Friday 27 October.
A further update on progress made will be provided Friday 20 October.
06/10/2023 15:59
Works are progressing well to repair Lock 69 on the Wigan Flight of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, and we have now cleared the initial debris from within the lock chamber. Due to the unique design of the repair, our engineers attended site to ensure the design for the new sub base is suitable before allowing us to remove the existing sub floor to avoid any potential movement within the lock walls.
We have now confirmed the design for the new sub base, ready for us to start construction next week.
Our teams are working hard to ensure navigation re-opens before the end of October, with works anticipated to be complete by Friday 27 October.
A further update on progress made will be provided Friday 13 October.
29/09/2023 15:59
Works are progressing well to remove the damaged concrete apron and cill at Lock 69 on the Wigan Flight of the Leeds & Liverpool canal and our team will start to install the sub-base next week. Once this is in place, we will then be able to start the repairs.
Due to the works required, we anticipate the repairs will take several weeks with navigation resuming before the end of October.
Our teams will endeavour to advance on this timeframe and a further update on progress made will be provided Friday 6 October.
22/09/2023 15:33
Our engineers have now been able to safely enter the lock chamber at Lock 69 on the Wigan Flight to fully assess the works required. We have noted significant damage to the cill, much worse than initially anticipated.
Our team is now working to remove the damaged concrete apron and cill so we are able to clear the affected area and get to a sound base. Once this has been done, we will know more on how long the repairs will take.
We apologise for the continued inconvenience this is causing our customers and a further update will be provided by Friday 29 September.
20/09/2023 16:23
Unfortunately, we have suffered a delay to the repairs at Lock 69 on the Wigan Flight of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal due to an issue with the over-pumping system installed behind the dam which created movement within the dam supports. In addition to this, the continued heavy rainfall has increased the flow around the lock which has resulted in the need to carry out remedial works to keep the water out of the lock to allow our teams to safely enter the lock chamber to assess the work required.
Our engineers will be onsite this week to assess the works and a further update, including a revised timeframe of the repairs will be provided by Friday 22 September.
We apologise for the inconvenience this has caused our customers and we will endeavour to repair this lock as soon as we are able.
Lock 69 will not be repaired before the end of the scheduled passages for the Ribble Link on the 28 September. If you have a booking for the Ribble Link to get back to home moorings on the Lancaster Canal, please call our North West Customer Support Team on 0303 0404040. Our team will take note of your circumstance and we will look in to alternative arrangements.
15/09/2023 14:40
Please be advised navigation remains closed along the Wigan flight, Lock 65 to Lock 85 on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal due to a blown cill at Lock 69.
We have now attended site to install a fabric dam.
A further update will be provided on Friday 22 September.
08/09/2023 16:04
Please be advised navigation remains closed along the Wigan flight, Lock 65 to Lock 85 on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal due to an issue with the cill at Lock 69.
We have now established a method of repair, and our teams will be mobilising on site from Monday 11 September. We anticipate the repairs could take up to 2 weeks, but we will be able to provide an accurate timeframe once the repairs have started.
A further update will be provided on Friday 15 September.
