Updates
11/04/2025 15:35
Since our last update contractors have been working closely with neighbouring landowners to secure safe access to the breach location, and we are hopeful that agreements will soon be in place. This will allow us to move forward with the main repair works.
In the meantime, we have already made a start on some early tasks, including removing vegetation in the affected area and carrying out repairs to the canal walls while the canal remains dewatered.
Temporary dams have now been installed near the breach site, with the ability to transfer water between them. We are aiming to refill the canal up to the dams during the week commencing 14 April. This is a key milestone, as it will help us better manage water resources from Bosley, Sutton, and Combs reservoirs as we head into the summer months. Stop planks will remain in place at both bridge holes to protect the work area and the temporary dams.
Initial surveys of the culvert have returned positive news, suggesting it has remained intact following the breach. This is encouraging, as this could have impacted on the time to carry out the repairs.
Our teams are now working on developing a detailed repair plan, and we hope this will put us in a good position to indicate when navigation can safely resume.
We will provide another update with more information on 25 April.
31/03/2025 17:11
Over Friday and the weekend, our teams worked to install stop planks at Bridge 51 (Cowley Bridge) and Bridge 53 (Locketts Bridge). We also assisted in moving all boats from the affected area, and we sincerely thank our customers for their support during this time.
Unfortunately, the leak, which formed between the bed of the canal and a culvert at this location, worsened over the weekend, causing significant damage. The towpath and canal bed were washed away, leaving a substantial hole in the canal wall and towpath. Today, our teams have been on-site assessing the damage and arranging a fish rescue. The Navigation and towpath will remain closed until further notice. We are also working to restore canal water levels on either side of the affected area, which we expect to take a several days.
Our engineers have visited the site, reviewed the damage, and are now in the process of planning repairs. Initial findings indicate that a substantial repair works will take up 12 weeks, and we will provide further updates as plans progress.
The Bosley flight will be closed for the duration of the repair to protect boats that have been relocated as a result of the breach, and no additional access will be possible for boats seeking services in the affected area.
For boaters needing facilities, the nearest pump-out, Elsan, and recycling facilities are available at Red Bull Customer Services, while the nearest water point is located at Bridge 68, Buxton Road. The last winding hole south of the breach is between Bridges 63 & 64, and we kindly ask customers not to travel past Bridge 63. Boats between Bridge 63 and Bosley Locks needing to turn around above Lock 12 should contact us for assistance.
The last winding hole north of the breach is between Bridges 49 & 50, and due to the number of boats in this area, we ask that you do not travel beyond Bridge 50. The nearest water point north of the breach is at Swettenham Street (between Bridges 37 & 38), while Elsan and recycling facilities are available at Marple Customer Services, with third-party pump-out providers operating nearby.
Regular updates will be available, with our next update scheduled on or before Friday, 11th April.
