Summer restrictions in the pipeline along North West’s canals
NAVIGATION opportunities along the Leeds & Liverpool, Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals this summer will be restricted due to the combined effect of reduced reservoir capacity and one of the driest springs on record.
Keeping boats moving during the peak holiday months of July and August is now the top priority and the trust’s operational and water management teams are working hard to conserve enough water now to ensure this happens.
In July, the three canals will be fully open to navigation but with certain restrictions, to be confirmed at a later date.
Holiday hire boats
This is likely to coincide with when government lockdown guidelines change to allow boaters to stay overnight on their boats and holiday hire boats to start operating again.
North West director Daniel Greenhalgh said: “We are acutely aware that boating businesses and private boaters alike have suffered from the major disruption caused by the coronavirus lockdown, and now followed by navigation restrictions caused by a lack of water.
Plugging leaks
“Over the last few years we have spent large sums on works to make the North West’s canal network more robust, including works to reservoirs and embankments, plugging leaks and repairing culverts.
“We will continue to review how we manage the water supply available to give the best service we can to both private boaters and businesses on these canals in future.”
Due to the dry weather, the reservoir holding for the Leeds & Liverpool Canal was at only 62% of its capacity – far below what is required for unrestricted use of the canal at this stage of the year.
This is coupled with the fact that key reservoirs have been unable to operate at peak capacity due to vital maintenance work.
The operation of the Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals has been severely hampered by the loss of Toddbrook Reservoir, near Whaley Bridge, which is currently undergoing a major repair project.
Repair works
The trust has carried out a wideranging programme of upgrade and repair works over the winter to improve the water supplies from nearby Combs Reservoir as well as Bosley and Sutton reservoirs.
Arrangements have also been made with the Environment Agency for water to pass from Combs reservoir via local brooks into the River Goyt and pumped from there into the Peak Forest Canal, while repairs to the feeder are addressed, to ensure that the supply is robust.