Rochdale cut to one lock a day

BOATING restrictions have already started through lack of water on the Rochdale Canal, with Tuel Hill Lock usage cut to just one lock operation per day.

British Waterways admit there is 'serious water shortage at Sowerby Bridge' and so have issued an urgent warning to any boaters planning to use the eastern section of the Rochdale Canal.

Shut off supply

The three miles long pound above Tuel Lane Lock at the start of the eastern end is fed by extracting water from the River Calder at Luddenden Foot, but the Environment Agency have shut off the supply owing to lack of rainfall.

Tuel Lane Lock, being the deepest canal lock in the country, takes a great deal of water, so with immediate effect advance booking for the lock is required as British Waterways tell us as there is the 'risk of delays or even closure'.

Flexible

Though one passage per day is now in force, the actual time of this locking will be flexible, and will depend on the availability of water and the needs of the booked boaters.

British Waterways warn that this will result in delays for boats passing through the eastern section, and should the locks become starved of water, it will have to close this section of the canal altogether until water is available.

Bookings will only be taken 48 hours in advance to the Red Bull office—01782 785703.