THE STABILISATION OF THE Bridgewater Canal Breach has now been completed.
The repair now goes into its next phase with the formal design process for reinstating the embankment now underway.
Two years to complete
The breach occurred at Little Bollington on New Year's Day last year and is estimated to take two years to complete, meaning it should be back in water in December of this year.
SLR Consulting has been appointed as principal consultant to head the design and project management of the reinstatement. This being the result of the competitive tender process.
Work has already been undertaken to protect and secure the waterway with dams and embankment support to stabilised the site.
Still in water
The canal is still in water along its length and navigable except for the half mile containing the breach.
It is told that further ecological and environmental surveys will take place in the coming weeks. Once these are completed, it will allow the contractor to be appointed.
It is expected that work will then be able to commence in the summer with a completion in December of this year.