Canal still out of bounds after leak
MACCLESFIELD Canal remains closed to boaters and walkers as engineers attempt to fix a leak.
Temporary dams had to be installed and fish moved to safety following the leak from Macclesfield Canal at Bollington two weeks ago.
The Canal and River Trust has been carrying out emergency repairs after staff discovered a leak, blocking the way for hundreds of boats.
The towpath is also closed to pedestrians.
The affected section of the canal has now been drained and temporary dams have been installed at either end of a 750metre section of the canal, between bridges 26 at Holehouse Lane and 27 at Grimshaw Lane.
After building a special road using ‘bog mats’ to get excavators and other equipment into the bottom of the canal, contrac- tors are now underway with repairs to fix the canal.
David Baldacchino, Canal and River Trust waterway manager, said: “The Macclesfield Canal is extremely popular for boaters and it is an important part of the local com- munity.
“Unfortunately these sorts of things can happen to a structure which is nearly 200 years old but we are taking swift action to repair it.
“While a definite date for reopening can’t be given right now, we hope it won’t take too long to sort out.
“The specialist team carrying out the fish rescue were amazed at the number of fish in the canal. Large quantities of perch, roach and bream have been rescued from this stretch, which is very encouraging in terms of the canal’s general water quality.”
David Thorne, Canal and River Trust project manager, said: “Our contractors, Kier, will be working hard to carry out these emergency repairs as speedily as possible.
“We plan to remove silt, repair damaged areas and then backfill with clay to the normal canal bed level.
“Over the next week or so we expect to continue a process of investigation and repairs, extending the road in the canal bed as we go along.
“This is a precise process, as access is difficult and it is a relatively confined location, but we’re hoping to get the canal reopened soon.”
The towpath is closed during the emergency repairs, with diversions in place.
Updates will be available at canalrivertrust.org. uk or by ringing 0303 040 4040. ●● GROUP formed to maintain section of canal - see page 11.