COMING TO THE END of the winter works, with four closures on one day.
Monday of this week saw four closures, Keith Gudgin reports.
When all should be in good condition as the winter works comes to an end.
Rochdale Canal
The Rochdale Canal is particularly bad, as it has had two separate stoppages in the one day—one being the rather worrying notice of a leak.
This of course has caused low water levels as the water supply cannot keep up with the leaking between Butler Street Lock 81 and Brownsfield Lock 83 on the canal, that is now closed.
The water level is being reduced further to allow an inspection to discover the leak.
Another stoppage on Monday of the Rochdale that is further closed between Lock 54 and Lock 81 due to the deterioration of the lock gate on Lock 76 making the lock unsafe to be operated.
Again teams are working to arrange the necessary repairs as soon as possible.
Huddersfield Narrow Canal
It is a paddle failure that has closed the Huddersfield Narrow Canal again.
This time on Lock 34E that of course is now closed to navigation.
The problem is that the yoke which connects the hydraulic ram to the paddle has snapped and needs repairing, with boaters advised not to attempt to start the flight as there are no suitable pounds for moorings.
The trust tells it will alert boaters when they are able to proceed and to use the booking system for the Marsden Flight.
Macclesfield Canal
The Macclesfield Canal is closed between Lock 1 and Lock 12—the entire flight.
And another paddle failure this time on Lock 11 that is preventing the lock from holding water.
Teams are investigating the cause. And there is yet another few days before the season commences...