Lancashire leak on Leeds & Liverpool Canal

A breach of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal near Parbold in West Lancashire occurred in the early hours of Sunday, 20 July. According to British Waterways (BW), an embankment failed and around 100 million gallons of water flooded from a six-mile section of the canal affecting one house and neighbouring farmland. It is likely to be closed to navigation for several weeks.

The breach occurred on a 27-mile lock free stretch, but work by BW staff and volunteers has led to the isolation of a stretch of affected canal between Spencers Bridge (no 36) near Newburgh and Parbold Bridge (no 38). Local residents were very understanding, BW said: assistance was given by the local police, Environment Agency, United Utilities, highways engineers from West Lancashire District Council, Network Rail and its contractors Jarvis.

The water flowed onto a section of the Manchester to Southport railway. By late Sunday afternoon BW staff had contained the breach and rail services resumed on Sunday evening with speed restrictions. The breached embankment, which includes a towpath, is inspected monthly for any seepage problems.

The most recent inspection had revealed nothing unusual, according to BW.

This stretch of the Leeds & Liverpool was originally built in the 1770s. It is constructed with a masonry wall on timber planks and is lined in clay. BW engineers are assessing the situation and repair work will start shortly and its staff are offering assistance to boaters and hire boat companies who have been affected by the breach. It thanked all those affected by the incident for their understanding.

Update, 22nd July 2003

British Waterways reports that the six boats on the Wigan side of the blockage are being floated off and are making their way towards Wigan. BW staff will then install a new bung on the Liverpool side to raise the water levels. The Rufford branch of the canal remains closed, and boaters with bookings for the Millennium Ribble Link should contact Ann-Marie Mount at the Lancaster office for further information (01524 751888). Selected boats are being offered cranage, dependant on need.

The Leeds & Liverpool Canal will remain closed for several weeks between Parbold and Burscough while emergency engineering work is carried out to repair the burst embankment.

For the latest information, call BW at Burnley on 01282 456978.