March target for reopening breach site

THE Canal & River Trust is aiming to reopen the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Rishton at the end of March 2022 following the recent breach.

It is also hoped to reopen Gargrave Lock following wall reconstruction at the same time.

As reported in last month’s Towpath Talk, fibre dams were installed between New Barn (109) and Aspen (110) bridges following a culvert failure on October 11.

Pumps and 1200m of steel pipework were installed to raise water levels and over-pump to supply the section west of the breach.

Once water levels were stabilised, the Barrowford, Johnson’s Hill and

Wigan lock flights reopened in late October. Design engineers have been investigating the full extent of the damage and the work required.

The pumps in the water at Aspen Bridge powered by electricity from a generator at the top of the bank on the left.

PHOTOS: COLIN WAREING, COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS A solitary narrowboat stranded within the dry section of the canal.