Punchbowl Bridge stoppage ends

THE long stoppage at Punchbowl Bridge (43) is over with the canal re-opened this morning.

It was way back in October of last year that damage to Punchbowl Bridge closed the Rochdale Canal near its summit, Keith Gudgin reports.

Third party owners

But there was little concern shown by the third party owners of the structure that was closed on the 9th of October.

The owners had examined the bridge but seemed unconcerned about its repair, so as it was in a somewhat precarious state the trust kept the navigation closed.

The bridge safe

But work has been undertaken to make the bridge safe, though there needs to be further discussions to take place during which there many be further restrictions.