An update has been released on repairs following ‘substantial subsidence’ at a Failsworth lock by the charity which manages the Rochdale Canal.

The Oldham portion of the canal has been closed since Thursday, January 11, due to the subsidence, although the towpath remains open.

Subsidence is when the ground beneath a building sinks, pulling the property's foundations down with it. 

On Friday (February 16), the Canal & River Trust released an update on the ongoing repairs.

The statement read: "Whilst work is progressing well at Lock 67, Tannersfield Middle on the Rochdale Canal, our contractors are required to return next week to complete further grouting works. Once the grouting works are complete our local team will commence on site to undertake the repair into the subsidence.

"Our investigations continue at Lock 65, Alfred Street, we’re hopeful to have established a method of repair, and have a better understanding of the timeline for this closure within the next week. 

"A further update will be provided Friday 23 February."

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On January 26, the Canal & River Trust said that engineers had completed the design phase and established a method of repair for the subsidence and contractors were scheduled to commence work on February 6.

The disruption, which sees the canal closed to boats between Hollinwood and Miles Platting, comes after last year saw boaters unable to use the canal for weeks at a time, with some saying the waterway the dirtiest they had 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, which is a rare type of plant.

Rochdale Canal opened in 1804 and was the first of three to cross the Pennines when it was built.

The canal was used to carry cargo such as coal and food, towed by horses along the towpaths, but by the 1950s, commercial carrying had virtually finished and the canal, which was still in private hands, closed.

The full canal was restored and reopened in 2002 and has been managed by the Canal & River Trust since 2012.