Four quick repairs

IT WOULD SEEM the start of the season this coming Friday has given a boost to repairs.

Three waterways now open

1 The Northampton Arm off the Grand Union was closed on Monday owing to a side ground paddle frame on Lock 9 breaking away from the chamber wall.

The damage was assessed and then completed and the navigation opened today (Wednesday).

2 The Peak Forest too that was closed owing to a an issue with its tailgate on Lock Four on the Marple Flight.

But has been quickly repaired and the navigation on the flight now open.

3 The fault with lack of water at Marsworth Junction on the Grand Union has been solved, by running water to top up the pounds.

With the flight now open to navigation.

4 The Gloucester & Sharpness Canal was closed owing to damage at Sandfield Bridge.

But this has been attended to and deemed safe for navigation.

The bad news

1 Of course there has to be bad news, and this is that the Lee Navigation is closed at Stanstead Lock 4.

With the work required currently being assessed.

2 Huddersfield Narrow Canal is still closed between locks 1E and 42E.

This is due to little improvement in its water levels even though pumps have been installed, but the pound is too low for navigation.

3 The Rochdale too is closed between locks 1 to 24 owing to low water levels.

Our being told the water levels have not improved so the navigation is still closed between those locks.  This is not helped by the trust being instructed to turn the pump off at Luddenden Foot due to the low river levels from where the water is extracted.

Our thanks to Keith Gudgin for these updates.