Joint effort to close Rochdale 'Nine'

THOUGH there has been a failed attempt in the past to close part of the Rochdale 'Nine' through Manchester, the police, the council and the fire people all want it closed off at night due to the many robberies and drownings that have occurred.

Known as the Undercroft, part of the Rochdale Canal is under buildings and is a haunt for homosexual activities, and its campaigners are fighting the move, but the local authorities believe it is becoming too dangerous and should be closed during darkness, Mick Fitzgibbons tells us.

Close waterway and towpath

Barriers are being proposed for a stretch of the water between  Minshull Street Bridge and Piccadilly Basin, that will close off the two top locks of the 'Nine'. These will prevent access to the area and also close off both the waterway and the towpath.

Men have been using the Undercroft as a 'cruising' area, with many being robbed and often pushed into either the canal or the locks, it being reported that 'more than a dozen people have died in the Rochdale Canal'.

Lost their lives

Manchester City Councillor Pat Karney told the Manchester Evening News:

"This area has been the site of some very sad incidents in which people have been confronted by criminals, have ended up in the water and lost their lives.

"We're determined to make the area as safe as possible and, after working with other organisations to see what can be done, we've come to the conclusion that closing the Undercroft at night is the only way to guarantee people's safety."

Trust in favour of closing

Canal & River Trust Waterway Manager, David Baldacchino, stated that the Trust is concerned  about the incidents on the Rochdale Canal and how they have worsened recently in this area, and is in favour of closing off part of the waterway during darkness.

A formal consultation will take place later in the year.