Rochdale Canal closed until May

FOR those northern boaters who enjoy winter cruises the choice of canals is failing rapidly, with the Rochdale following hard on the heels of the Macclesfield being closed.

Continuous cruisers too will have more limited capability as the work to repair the culvert at Hebden Bridge we are now told will close the waterway until May, Keith Gudgin reports.

Caused a breach

It is understood that flood water deluged the culvert causing a breach with the canal bed, for when the pound was discovered drained, it was then refilled, but the water quickly drained away again and the breach was discovered.

It is not stated why it will take so long for the work to be completed, the date given as the 30th April.