IT WILL be at least the end of May before the Rochdale Canal, that was damaged in the Boxing Day floods, is likely to be re-opened.
Canal & River Trust however hope to have the section from Sowerby Bridge to Hebden Bridge open by this week-end in time for Easter, Keith Gudgin tells us.
In use to Lock 9
This means the canal will be open to Lock 11, Stubbing Upper Lock, though narrowboats will only be able to get to the turning point below Lock 9, Blackpit Lock.
After Easter, work will be on the navigation above Lock 11. But the land-slip above Lock 15 and a breached embankment means an opening date is uncertain. Then there is a culvert that has been damaged at Lock 37, requiring the waterway to be drained.
Tuel Lane operational
For boaters using the canal, the operation of Tuel Lane Lock will be as normal with a lock keeper on site Fridays to Mondays, and by arrangement on Tuesdays to Thursdays, though damage to Lock 2 means that passage has to be supervised.
To add to the many problems, a paddle needs to be repaired on two locks—7 and 8, that will take place during April.