Back after a long break but Peak Forest Canal still not reopened

IT WAS just under three weeks ago that we stopped publishing to take a cruise and expected the Peak Forest to be opened when we returned.

But alas it is not, Keith Gudgin reports.

It was in August last year that Lock 7 failed—nine months ago—but the contractors are still struggling with its repair.

Subsidence

It was subsidence that caused the stoppage, with work starting soon after, and at present we are told the construction of the lock wall has been completed but further  movement has been encounted on the other wall of the lock.

The outcome being that to address this the opening date in May was passed and another opening date given as June 14th.

What a difference when British Waterways were in charge when the lock, pictured, on the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union collapsed, one wall touching the other, yet it took just over a month to repair.