Between Bridge 3 and Bridge 4, Hurleston, Llangollen Canal
Starts At: Bridge 3, Martins Bridge
Ends At: Bridge 4, Lees Bridge
Up Stream Winding Hole: Bridge 6, Wrexham Road Bridge
Down Stream Winding Hole: Hurleston Junction
Update on 15/04/2021:
Our engineers and contractors are currently on site preparing to install the access track tomorrow and over the weekend to allow the pumps to be installed on Monday. Having reviewed the programme and methodology with the contractor, the dams will now be installed at 08:00 on Tuesday 20 April to reduce the disruption to a minimum and to allow an extra day of movement between Bridge 3, Martins Bridge and Bridge 4, Lees Bridge on the Llangollen Canal.
Please be reminded should the problem deteriorate, we may be forced to close navigation before Tuesday.
Please also note, the towpath will be closed for the duration of these works to allow for a safe working environment.
A further update will be provided by Friday 23 April.
NAVIGATION CLOSURE (8am Monday 19 April 2021 until further notice)
Update on 14/04/2021:
Our engineers have been to site to assess the culvert between Bridge 3, Martins Bridge and Bridge 4, Lees Bridge on the Llangollen Canal and they have identified severe leakage into the culvert. Whilst we have managed to complete a partial survey using remote CCTV equipment, we have been unable to survey the full-length of the culvert due to it being submerged underwater. We need to complete this survey to determine the cause of the significant leakage and to see if we can implement a temporary repair or if we need to close the canal and implement a full replacement or repair of the culvert. To complete the full CCTV survey, we will be installing dams from 08:00 on Monday 19 April to allow us to dewater the canal.
However, following feedback from customers and stakeholders and with the number of closures affecting travel across the North West, we have taken the decision to delay the installation of stop planks to allow passage through the affected area until the dams are in place. The stop planks are ready to be installed should the leakage deteriorate, and our teams will continue to carry out inspections to ensure passage is safe for our customers. However, should the problem deteriorate, we may be forced to close navigation before Monday.
Once our engineers have been able to dewater this section of canal, further investigations can resume, with the intention to carry out a temporary repair over a 7 to 10 day period which will allow navigation through the summer months while we plan for a permanent repair during the winter months. However, we are unable to confirm that a temporary repair will be possible, and we may need to complete a full culvert replacement which will close the canal for a longer period of time and customers should keep this in mind when planning their journeys.
Original message:
Please be advised navigation is closed between Bridge 3, Martins Bridge and Bridge 4, Lees Bridge on the Llangollen Canal due an issue with a culvert.
Stop planks are being installed and we will be dewatering this section of canal to enable our teams to complete the necessary investigations.
An update will be provided Friday 16 April.