'Severe leak' closed Leeds & Liverpool Canal

THE Leeds & Liverpool Canal was closed again yesterday, (Wednesday) this time for a 'severe leak', at Whitebirk Aqueduct near Blackburn.

IT was first advised that the canal would be closed for three weeks, but upon inspection however it was discovered that the work can be completed without a closure, but whilst the work is being carried out there will be a restriction to boating traffic.

This work will take place next Tuesday the 30th May, with the restriction to navigation in the morning and afternoon whilst the work is being completed.

Waterways are in better condition than ever before

Though only Thursday, there have been five closures already this week—another on the Leeds & Liverpool, the Rochdale, the Macclesfield and the Aire & Calder, yet CaRT tell that 'the waterways are in better condition than ever before'!

Many boaters, trapped by the never ending list of stoppages tell us that they are unsure of being able to complete a cruise these days as in the past, and are disgusted at the state of the waterways. (We too just escaped a stoppage at Bosley Flight on the Macclesfield Canal, it being out third attempt the other two being prevented by stoppages.)

No longer spending on prime commitment

Canal & River Trust IS obviously no longer spending the money on its prime commitment—the maintenance of its waterways, but on many other things that have obviously nothing to do with their upkeep, hence the never ending stoppages.