Oil spill closes the Rochdale

NOTWITHSTANDING the many stoppages on the Rochdale Canal recently, an oil spill now adds to the list.

The spill has closed the navigation in the area of Moderna Bridge at Mytholmroyd, Keith Gudgin reports.

Serious matter

It must be a serious matter with both the Environment Agency and the police involved and Canal & River Trust presently on site, having overnight installed absorbent booms at the downstream end of the spill at Moderna Bridge.

This is preventing navigation, that is not possible between Brearley Lock 6 and Moderna Bridge whilst the clean-up is in operation and the source of the oil spill is being investigated.

During September the Rochdale Canal saw four closures, two through lack of water, a stuck paddle and a blown cill—as they are now described.