Parbold breach - latest news for boaters

British Waterways has announced further arrangements for boaters on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, where cruising has been disrupted by a breach at Deans Embankment near Parbold, West Lancashire.

The stoppage has now been reduced to under two miles around the breach. BW engineers are putting emergency repair plans into action with the intention that the work will be finished by the beginning of September. The Rufford Arm is due to be reopened by early next week, although navigation to and from the Lancaster Canal, via the Ribble Link, will continue to be affected.

BW asks boaters planning journeys around these obstructions to consider rearranging their travel plans, unless they are returning to their home moorings. The following dates have been set for craning boats around the breach:

• Friday 1st August
• Friday 8th August
• Friday 15th August
• Friday 22nd August

Craneage will take place on one side of the breach at Moss Bridge No. 35 or Harry Mayors Boat Yard in Tarleton, and on the other side at White Bear Marina, Chorley. Extra assistance will be arranged on the Wigan Flight. Crane booknigs should be made at White Bear Marina (01257 481054), while Ribble Link bookings should be made via the Galgate office as usual (Anne Marie Mount, 01524 751888).

Update, 31st July: Installation of stop planks between Bridge 36 and Giants Hall Aqueduct will enable repair work on the 200 year old embankment to proceed as quickly as possible. The Rufford Branch is currently also closed due to lack of water following the incident, in which around 100 million gallons spilled on to adjacent land. It is due to be re-watered in the next few days. A dedicated team of engineers is on site working to repair and re-water the stretch of canal around the breach, which is now less than two miles in length.

The craning point for boats wanting to travel from the west to east of the breach is located at Tarleton. The craning point for boats wanting to travel from the east to west of the breach is located at White Bear Marina. Boaters are asked to telephone Vaughan Jones at White Bear Marina on 01257 481054 for a current status report and to take advantage of the craning facility. Boaters planning to travel from the Lancaster Canal are asked to telephone Anne Marie Mount at BW’s Galgate Office on 01524 751888.