Canal leaks thousands of gallons

Published: Monday, 09 August 2010

A LEAKING canal is causing thousands of gallons of water to pour from a hole in a main road in Blackburn.

Yes, you've guessed—it's the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, at present closed through lack of water! Water has been pouring out of the canal for the past four weeks, with officials from United Utilities and highways officials from Blackburn examining the site and declaring the water was coming from the canal.

Not accept responsibility

British Waterways would not accept responsibility, and it it only after four weeks, and the result of the examination, that it has accepted the water is leaking from the canal, with local councillor  Salim Mulla, stating that it was an 'unacceptable response', remarking:

"I have seen that leak for weeks and just assumed that it was something to do with United Utilities. It is a shock to find out that it is the canal and it is a shame that this could not have been sorted out much quicker.

"There has been so much water coming out on to the road and at a time when people have ben told to save water this is not acceptable."

Attempting to repair

British Waterways is now attempting to repair the leak, with Debbie Lumb, Waterways Manager for the North West Waterway, confirming that the water lost had run into  thousands of gallons, but had made little difference to the canal levels.

The many photographs shown of the condition of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in our State of the waterway category in the Gallery however clearly show the excessive leakage, which many believe has  had a major bearing on its enforced closure.