Rochdale Canal lock has damaged floor

NOWADAYS boaters are finding it extremely difficult to cruise the Rochdale as it stoppages are becoming legion.

The latest looks like being another long one (the 'Nine' is still closed and has been since the 17th June) as the floor of Lock 24 at Todmorden is damaged, Keith Gudgin reports.

Impossible to equalise

So much water is escaping that it is impossible to equalise the level in the lock, with Canal & River Trust stating that it needs either four very strong people or five or six normal strength ones to move the lock gate!

An initial investigation has prompted the estimation that it will take a week to repair, so no chance of passage until the 23rd of this month. 

The flight down to Lock 19 is subsequently now closed.