Updates
13/12/2024 13:34
We are pleased to share an update on the progress of the aqueduct repair works. Over the past few weeks, we have removed 160 tonnes of material from the site to begin the reinstatement works. After addressing challenges with the foundations supporting the wingwall, our design team developed a new solution that allowed us to proceed with the works. This involved conducting several surveys and pouring a concrete base to provide a stable structure for rebuilding. With this in place, we have started laying the masonry blocks without issue. Scaffolding has been installed around the aqueduct to facilitate the safe and efficient installation of the masonry blocks, and we aim to have the wingwall fully rebuilt before Christmas. Once completed, we will focus on reinstating the embankment behind the wall in the new year.
Before we begin stitching repairs in the middle and south barrels next week, our ecology team will be onsite to check for any wildlife, such as bats, that might use the aqueduct for nesting.
Given the successful progress so far, we now anticipate reopening the canal by the end of February 2025. However, the towpath and public right of way will remain closed until the end of March 2025 to allow for ongoing construction works and land reinstatements.
Our next update will be shared on 17 January 2025.
22/11/2024 11:21
Over the last few weeks significant steps being taken to address key areas of the project. The two porta dams have been repositioned closer together to simplify the over-pumping arrangement, making it more efficient. A new over-pumping setup has been installed to help our teams manage water levels effectively.
To support the bed repair, the contractor has established improved access points, enabling the safe delivery of clay to the work area. Additionally, a temporary access ramp has been installed to the collapsed aqueduct, facilitating the safe commencement of apron repairs. With this ramp in place, we have successfully removed all fallen debris from the northern side of the aqueduct. These debris have been cleared from the site, and work on repairing the aqueduct apron is now underway.
In the breach area, 40 tons of temporary fill material used to support the three-sided dam has been removed. This has been replaced with 40 tons of compacted clay as a permanent solution for the hole created when the water rushed out of the canal creating a scour to the bed of the canal, further hedges have been cleared on the east side of the canal.
A recent site inspection following the removal of debris has revealed that the wingwall foundation of the aqueduct is in worse condition than initially anticipated. This will require either significant remedial works or a full replacement. Supporting the aqueduct internally within repairs will be necessary before the foundation can be removed and replaced, alongside temporary works. These unforeseen challenges are expected to extend the navigation reopening date to the end of March 2025, although we are working hard to improve on this timeline.
We remain committed to keeping you informed as we progress, with the next update scheduled for 13 December 2024.
01/11/2024 15:28
We've made great strides since our last update. The access ramp is now successfully reinstalled, which has allowed heavy machinery back into the work area, paving the way for our repair efforts. Plus, we're happy to report that our fish rescue in the drained section of the canal was successful.
As we move forward, it's important to remember that these extensive works take time and involve several stages. Over the next three weeks, we'll be making significant progress on the foundations of the works to the embankment and canal bed. Our team is dedicated to ensuring everything is done to reopen the canal, with our target date still set for late January.
In the coming weeks, we will tackle several key tasks, including extensive repairs to the embankment and canal bed, installation of sheet piles within the canal, repairs to the aqueduct apron, and rebuilding the aqueduct wingwall. Additionally, we'll be installing drainage behind the wingwall, reinstating the towpath and public right of way, replanting removed trees, and removing debris from Barton Brook, which runs underneath the canal.
We'll keep you updated, with our next progress report scheduled for November 22nd.
18/10/2024 15:33
We are pleased to report that work is well underway on the aqueduct, with important repairs progressing to ensure the structure remains secure.
The upcoming phase of works will focus on several critical tasks, including extensive repairs to both the embankment and the canal bed at the breach site. In addition, we will be installing sheet piles within the canal and completing essential repairs to the aqueduct apron and wingwall. Once this is done, drainage will be installed behind the wingwall to further enhance the long-term stability of the structure.
Alongside these structural repairs, we will also reinstate the towpath and public right of way, as well as restore third-party land and replant trees that were removed earlier in the project. As part of our broader restoration efforts, we will be removing debris from Barton Brook, which runs beneath the canal.
With our current timeline, we expect the works to be completed by the end of January 2025. We will keep you updated on our progress, with the next update scheduled for 1st November 2024
04/10/2024 14:53
As we transition into the next phase of the repair, it's been wonderful to see boats moving through this section again. We'd like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone for their cooperation during the temporary passage window.
Looking ahead, a detailed survey will be conducted next week to measure any movement in the work area. This survey will provide us with essential data to maintain site stability as repairs progress. Additionally, we've repositioned the pumps closer to the breach, allowing us to manage the water levels efficiently on either side of the breach and reduce the need for extensive over-pumping.
In preparation for the next stage of work, a fish rescue is planned for Tuesday to ensure the safe relocation of fish before the canal is drained once more. This weekend, we will install two temporary dams, allowing us to begin draining the canal at the breach site on Monday. Once the canal is drained, the access ramp will be reinstalled to facilitate the removal of the three-sided dam and support the continuation of repair work.
Meanwhile, design discussions with our contractor remain ongoing, with a strong focus on ensuring the buildability of the repair plan. These discussions are essential for making sure that the project moves forward efficiently and effectively.
We'll continue to share updates as we make progress, with the next update scheduled for Friday, 18th October. Thank you once again for your continued patience and support.
01/10/2024 13:51
Following yesterday's heavy rainfall, our team has spotted a small leak near the breach area, which we're keeping a close eye on. The rain caused water levels to rise quickly, so we're doing some additional checks this morning and will continue to monitor things throughout the day to make sure everything stays on track.
The last day for passages will now be Wednesday, 2nd October, finishing at 4pm. We'd like to thank everyone who's already made the journey, and if you're still planning to pass through, we encourage you to do so today.
We'll provide another update on Friday, 4th October. We thank our boating customers for their patience and support.
25/09/2024 13:55
We are pleased to confirm that controlled boat movements will begin tomorrow, Thursday, 26th September, at 10 am, as scheduled. The passage window will remain open daily from 10 am to 4 pm until Thursday, 3rd October. Outside of these hours, the canal will be closed, and all boaters must follow the guidance of the on-site team to ensure a safe crossing.
Please note that mooring is not allowed within the controlled area between Bridge 37 and Bridge 39. Safety remains our top priority, so we ask that follow instructions from our teams onsite when navigating through. Our team will continue to monitor the dam closely throughout the passage window, and there is a possibility that boat movements may need to pause temporarily if required.
A further update will be provided on Friday, 4th October. We thank our boating customers for their cooperation.
23/09/2024 15:20
Over the past few weeks, we've made significant progress, with the three-sided dam now fully constructed. We're currently completing the final touches and have successfully refilled the canal section between the emergency response dams. Dredging is scheduled for tomorrow to ensure smooth passage for boats, and we remain on track for controlled boat movements to begin on Thursday, 26th September, at 10 am.
The passage window will remain open until Thursday, 3rd October, operating daily from 10 am to 4 pm. Outside of these hours, the canal will stay closed, and we kindly ask that all boaters follow the instructions provided by the on-site team for a safe crossing. Please note that mooring is not permitted within the controlled area, specifically between Bridge 37 and Bridge 39.
As this is a new process for us, we will be carefully monitoring the dam throughout the passage window. While we are confident, there is a possibility that boat movements may need to be paused temporarily if any issues arise.
After the passage window closes, we will re-install the dams and resume our work on repairing the embankment and aqueduct. We appreciate your patience, and we're excited to see boats moving through this section once again.
We'll provide the next update on Wednesday 25th September.
13/09/2024 15:36
This week has seen significant progress as we continue improving access to the site. We've installed additional trackway, making it much easier for our teams and equipment to navigate the area, and an access ramp has been put in place leading directly into the canal. These steps are crucial as we move forward with the installation of the temporary three-sided dam and begin addressing the breach itself. In preparation for the dam, clay has been carefully placed in the canal bed, creating a solid foundation, with sealing works underway to ensure everything holds strong.
Tree removal is ongoing around the breach area, clearing the way for the heavy machinery that will be used to construct the working pad. At the same time, silt is being cleared out to ensure the canal will have enough depth for boats to pass once the temporary dam is in place, which is a key milestone in the project.
To help keep everything on track, over-pumping has been switched back on to ensure water levels remain stable, supporting both the works and the wider canal system.
On the repair side, we've made exciting progress as the design has now been submitted to the local planning authority for review. Things are moving forward across all fronts, and we'll keep you posted with the next update, scheduled for Monday, 23rd September
06/09/2024 15:26
This we have made good progress, but also faced some delays that have impacted our timeline for the boat passage across the breach site. The installation of 500 meters of stock-proof fencing is now complete, securing the site, and the compound is fully set up with access from Station Lane. We've also installed access tracks on the offside, and a ramp into the canal is in place, allowing machinery to move in and out of the breach area. Tree removal is ongoing to make room for heavy machinery, and the construction of the working pad for the dam is underway.
Unfortunately, due to delays in finalising land agreements with the two landowners on the opposite side of the canal, we've had to push the boat passage date from the 20th to the 26th of September. Our contractors have potentially lost two weeks. To make up for the lost time, our contractors are work longer hours during the week, as well as Saturdays and Sundays, to ensure that the dam is in place by 23rd September.
Once the dam is installed, we'll remove the porta dams and refill the drained section, This process will take 24-48 hours, and if everything goes according to plan, we expect the canal to be ready for boat passage by Thursday, 26th September. A dredger boat will be the first to pass through, clearing and testing the way for other boats to ensure its safe to pass though. There are still many unknowns. We are adapting and testing as we progress, which means adjustments may be needed along the way to ensure everything is done safely and effectively.
Our design team is working on the solution and are exploring other options for the repair, this is to help keep repair to plan. Our first engineering design may need building consent, which could extend the overall project timeline, originally we aimed to be finish by January 2025 but this would be extended if consent is required.
Water levels have returned to normal both north and south of the breach monitoring is continuing and pumps remain on standby just in case.
We'll provide the next update on Friday, 13th September.
30/08/2024 14:52
This week, we've made significant strides, allowing us to finally bring the necessary machinery to the site for the upcoming repairs. The livestock fencing is now fully installed, which has secured the work area and ensured safe access for our teams. Additionally, the site compound has been reinforced with stone, making it ready to accommodate the heavy machinery required for the work. We're expecting site cabins to be delivered on Tuesday, further advancing our preparations.
In our efforts to ensure smooth access for the dam installation, we completed an additional hedge survey on the offside of the breach. We've also received the results from the silt samples, which unfortunately indicated high levels of metal contamination. As a result, the silt will need to be removed from the site, a necessary step to clear the way for the temporary boat passage. Nevertheless, progress on the temporary three-sided dam remains on track, with completion expected by the 20th of September.
On the technical front, the outline design for the aqueduct repair has been finalised. Our engineers are now working on the final CAD designs, which will soon be handed over to the contractor to commence work.
We're pleased to report that water levels have now returned to normal both north and south of the breach. Consequently, we are able to reopen the Glasson Flight from today. However, we will continue to monitor the water levels closely and may need to close the flight at short notice if any issues arise with the Lancaster Canal levels.
We'll provide our next update on Friday, 6th September. We appreciate your continued patience and understanding as we progress with these essential repairs.
23/08/2024 16:05
Following on from last week, we're pleased to report that water levels north of the breach are returning to normal summer levels. We want to extend our thanks to our boating customers for their patience while our teams have worked tirelessly to restore the canal's levels safely. Although progress has been made, we believe it's still a bit early to reopen the Glasson flight. We plan to keep it closed for now, with a target to reopen on Monday, 2nd September. We'll provide confirmation in our next update.
Work on the three-sided dam has now been finalised, and we remain on schedule to have it in place by the 20th of September. Negotiations with the landowner on the opposite side of the breach are ongoing, which is crucial for securing access to the site for the dam's installation. Once in place, the dam will allow a temporary boat passage for 7 days, offering a critical window for navigation.
This week, our contractor has been focusing on installing stock-proof fencing to ensure that livestock remains safe and clear of the work area. We expect this fencing to be fully in place by the end of today.
Next week, we'll begin removing trees to facilitate the access of heavy machinery to the work area. This process has been carefully planned and approved in coordination with the Trust's ecologist to minimise environmental impact.
On the design front, we've made significant progress, with the outline design solution for the repair works now complete. As the aqueduct is a listed structure, the design will require Listed Building Consent, and we are actively discussing this with the relevant authorities to move the process forward.
Additionally, a second bat survey is scheduled for next week to ensure there are no roosting bats within the aqueduct.
We'll continue to keep you updated, with our next update scheduled for Friday, 30th August. Thank you again for your ongoing support and patience as we work through these repairs.
16/08/2024 15:02
Over the last week, our teams have been working hard on the Temporary works, design, and material procurement to support the installation of a three-sided dam. This will create a controlled window for boat movement between the north and south of the breach.
While our original goal was to have boat passage ready by the end of August, due to the scale of work needed, the plan has been revised.
We now expect this window to open around the 20th of September. Our teams will be working weekends to ensure everything is in place for this temporary boat passage and we will be able to share more details as the works progress.
Starting Tuesday, 20th August, our contractors will begin installing stock-proof fencing, access tracks, and the site compound. This phase is expected to take about two weeks to complete.
In the meantime, our top priority remains recovering water levels, which are gradually improving both north and south of the dam. Over-pumping is being used but is carefully monitored to support the recovery. The Glasson Flight will need to remain closed to assist with this effort.
At this stage, we expect the repair works on the embankment and aqueduct to continue through the end of the year. A more accurate timeline will be provided once design and on-site work are fully underway.
Thank you for your continued patience and support. Our next update will be shared on Friday, 23rd August.
09/08/2024 14:51
As we continue to manage the breach on the Lancaster Canal, we've been making steady progress on multiple fronts. While the water levels remain low, our teams have been adjusting the over-pumping efforts, leading to gradual increases both north and south of the breach area. This is an encouraging sign, but there's still more work to be done to fully restore the levels. Over the next week, we'll keep pushing to raise the canal levels, especially north of the breach, with our teams focusing on keeping the feeder channels clear and carrying out vegetation removal to increase flows. Although this will take some time, it remains a top priority for all our teams on the Lancaster Canal. For now, the Glasson Flight will need to remain closed to assist with this effort.
In line with our earlier investigations, we are developing a solution to install a temporary three-sided dam around the breach. This would allow restricted boat passage between the north and south of the breach area. Initial plans are going well, and we aim to have this dam in place by the end of the month. Our contractors are carrying out surveys this week to finalize the design, and we'll keep you posted as this plan progresses.
We've got a few important surveys lined up for next week as well. On Monday, 12th August, a bat survey will be conducted to ensure there are no roosting bats in the work area. Then, on Wednesday, 14th August, we'll be carrying out a topographical survey to confirm that the embankment is safe for reinstatement.
Our design team, in collaboration with our partners, are busy developing the repair solution and methodology, which will allow us to move forward more efficiently.
Thank you again for your ongoing support and patience. We'll provide another update on Friday, 16th August, as we continue to make progress on these critical repairs.
02/08/2024 15:00
This week, our primary focus has been on water management and finding solutions to the navigation closure caused by the breach. Our contractors have adjusted the pumping, which has helped raise water levels south of the dam, while our operations team has been diligently monitoring the levels north of the dam to ensure we're getting the best flow from Killington Reservoir. Work will continue over the next week to raise the canal levels north of the breach, but getting the levels back to normal will take some time. Consequently, the Glasson flight will need to remain closed next week to help us increase the levels.
Our engineering teams have conducted several on-site investigations this week, looking at ways to address the navigation for our boating customers. We are pleased to be able to share that we're planning to set up a longitudinal dam around the breach area. This innovative solution would allow boats currently stuck north of the dam to pass through to the south and vice versa. Next week, our contractors will begin additional surveys to finalise the design, methodology, and gather the necessary materials. Site preparation will follow to allow the installation to take place. We'll confirm more details on this plan over the next few weeks once the surveys are completed. If everything goes to plan, we should see our first boat pass the breach site by the end of August.
Progress with our neighbours has gone well, and we're gearing up to start installing the access paths next week. This phase will take about four weeks due to the distance we need to cover, and the extensive fencing required to keep the livestock in the adjacent fields safe.
Our design team, along with our geotechnical engineers, has been on the ground putting together a solid plan to rebuild the embankment and the damaged aqueduct. We've also been busy with ecology and heritage surveys. The ecology surveys are complete, and we'll be removing some trees that are in the way once the site is set up. On the heritage side, we've agreed on a plan that respects and protects the historical aspects of the site.
We've had productive discussions with the Environment Agency as well. Their river runs right under the aqueduct, and they've given us the thumbs up to carry on with our emergency work.
We really appreciate all the support from our customers and partners. Your patience and understanding mean a lot to us as we work through these repairs. We'll continue to keep you updated regularly, with our next update scheduled for Friday, 9th August.
26/07/2024 16:20
Over the last week, the Trust's engineers and specialist contractors have taken considerable effort to evaluate the extent of the damage caused by the breach next to Hollowforth Aqueduct and to plan its repair. The damage is extensive and affects both the embankment and a section of the aqueduct's structure. The repairs required are substantial and will need significant funding. The works will have a material effect on the Trust's already limited resources.
Nonetheless, along with the repairs to the sea gate on the Ribble Link, completing the repairs to re-open the navigation for our boaters and all others who enjoy the canal is a priority. The works will take several months to complete, and we understand that in the meantime, the loss of full use of the Lancaster Canal will impact many customers profoundly.
That is why we are getting to work immediately. On-site, our water engineers and contractors have been busy installing vital pumps to ensure water supply to the south side of the breach area. The final steps of this installation will be completed today, and we hope to bring the water levels back to a navigational level over the next week. In addition to over-pumping the breach site, our teams are also exploring other locations to bring water to the southern section of the Lancaster Canal to maintain a stable water level and protect our precious environment and heritage.
We are working with our neighbours to secure suitable access for the repair works to commence on-site.
Thank you to our customers and partners for their continued support.
We will provide regular updates, with the next update scheduled for Friday, 2nd August. Should you have any questions about the works, please contact us at 03030 404040 and select the North West region to speak with one of our regional team.
22/07/2024 16:11
We would like to extend thanks to boaters for their patience and support over the weekend. As you may know, there was a breach on the embankment next to Hollowforth Aqueduct. Our teams and contractors have secured dams either side of the affected area and we completed a fish rescue today.
Our main priority now is to restore the water levels in the canal either side of the dammed stretch and we are in the process of bringing in equipment to enable this. Throughout the week our teams will continue to secure access to the site and coordinate with neighbouring landowners so that repairs works can commence.
Currently, it is extremely difficult to provide a reopening date for the canal due to the numerous factors we need to investigate. However, we will ensure that regular updates on progress are provided throughout the closure.
We will be providing a further update on Friday, 26th July.
Thank you once again for your understanding and support. Should you have any questions about the works, please contact us at 03030 404040 and select the North West region to speak with one of our regional team members.
21/07/2024 09:44
Please be advised the towpath and navigation is closed between Bridge 36, Moons Bridge and Bridge 39, Hepgreave Bridge on the canal due to structural failure at the Hollowforth Aqueduct 38.
Emergency teams have been in attendance and are currently devising a safe means of access for further works to the structure. For your own safety, we advise customers not to enter the affected areas.
