Rochdale locks to be closed over the summer

Urgent work to inspect lock gates on the Rochdale Canal will involve a series of canal stoppages this summer.

The bottom gates of Lock 30 failed earlier this summer, and there were also problems at two other locks with gates of a similar vintage. British Waterways has now decided on a full inspection of all such gates, which were installed before BW took over the canal in 2000. This will involve various local canal closures over the summer as a result of a need to inspect and repair gates below the waterline.

Any boater who was inadvertently caught up in the canal closures was lifted around obstructions or escorted to their chosen mooring.

The main hire-boat company affected is Shire Cruisers, based at Sowerby Bridge. Various alternatives have been offered to their hirers and other boaters. For Shire customers, these options are available:

• Rosegrove at Burnley on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal

available as a one way weekly turn round point. Customers are able
to use BW parking facilities.

• The same arrangement has been offered at Standedge again

offering one way trips to the tunnel, which also is one week's
cruising time.

Measures that will affect all boaters include:

• Initial inspections were concentrated on locks between Sowerby

Bridge and Todmorden. These have now been completed, allowing
cruising to lock 19. This allows boaters moored at Baltimore Marina
and Hebden Bridge to cruise east from their moorings. It also gives
Shire Cruises another option for their customers for weekend trips.
(A popular choice for the short break market.)

• Increased passage availability through Standedge Tunnel on the

Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

• Any boats trapped on the summit section of the canal have been

offered the option of alternative moorings at Baltimore Marina,
Todmorden.

BW asks boaters to call its Rochdale office for further details on 0161 819 5847.