THE BRIDGEWATER CANAL COMPANY, is telling the breach on the canal will be repaired by the end of this December.
It then will have taken exactly two years to repair, as the breach occurred on the 1st January 2025.
New timber installed
At this time, the temporary Portadams have been removed from the north side of the breach with new timber having been installed, that will stay in place until the breach is fully repaired.
An engineered earth dam will now be installed to the south side of the breach, with this currently being designed by consultant engineers, and once installed, will ensure the canal is safe and secure on both sides.
The temporary Portadams will then be removed from the south side of the breach allowing the repair works to safely commence in due course.
Fully reopened
It is currently aiming to have the Bridgewater Canal fully reopened to navigation, including the Cheshire Ring, by the end of December 2026. But feedback from engineering consultants are awaited before a construction programme can be finalised.
To date, around £400,000 has been invested in stabilising and protecting the canal following the breach.
The effect on Canal & River Trust boaters is that with the Bridgewater Canal closed it also closes a way up to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal from the west of the Trent & Mersey Canal and Manchester. And of course stopping navigation the opposite way.