Rochdale Canal closed after ‘substantial subsidence’ at lock

The subsidence has occurred at Lock 67, Tannersfield Middle, in Failsworth – leading to the canal being closed to boaters from Lock 65, in Hollinwood, as far downstream as Lock 80, in Miles Platting.

According to the Canal & River Trust, which manages the waterway, investigations into repairs are underway – with the waterway remaining closed to boaters.

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A notice published on the CRT website on Monday states: “Our Engineers have conducted the initial investigations into the substantial subsidence that’s taken place at Lock 67, Tannersfield Middle, we’re now in the process of establishing the cause and we’re developing a suitable methodology for the repair.The canal is closed between Lock 65, in Hollinwood, to Lock 80, in Miles Platting (Image: Google/Canal & River Trust)

“We anticipate the design and repair of these works to take some time, and we’re hopeful to be able to share a clear timeframe in the coming weeks.

“We will provide a further update on progress by Friday 26 January."

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The disruption comes after last year saw boaters unable to use the canal for weeks at a time, with some boaters calling the waterway the dirtiest they’d ever encountered.

An almost 12-mile-long portion of the canal between Failsworth and Littleborough is considered a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the presence of Floating Water Plantain – a rare type of plant.

The canal, opened in 1804, was the first of three to cross the Pennines when it was built, used to carry cargo such as coal and food, towed by horses along the towpaths.

By the 1950s, commercial carrying had virtually finished and the canal, which was still in private hands, closed.

The canal was restored decades later, with the full canal re-opened in 2002.

Prior to 2012, the canal was managed by British Waterways, which was wholly owned by the government.

However, this was replaced by the Canal & River Trust charity in July 2012.

According to the government, its policy is that the Canal and River Trust should become "progressively more self-sufficient financially".  

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