The Rochdale Canal in Manchester city centre is empty.

[Alan de Enfield]

The Rochdale Canal in Manchester city centre is empty - here's why - Manchester Evening News

 

15/2/23

 

 

 

The Rochdale Canal in Manchester city centre has been drained. Pictures showed chairs, traffic cones and a bike among the items that have sunk to the bottom of the canal after the water was partially removed ahead of a huge clean up operation.

The Canal and River Trust has confirmed vital repairs are being carried out to Lock 85, know as the 'Undercroft', near to Canal Street. Fish have also been removed as part of the works.

 

The old lock gates are being replaced with new handcrafted ones, along with other masonry works. A large clean up operation to rid the empty canal of debris and rubbish is being organised for early March, with volunteers encouraged to take part.

 

 

A Canal and River Trust spokesperson said: “The Canal and River Trust is carrying out vital repairs to Lock 85 know as the ‘Undercroft’ on the Rochdale Canal in Manchester city centre. As part of these works the canal has been partly drained and a fish rescue undertaken by specialist contractors.

"Our skilled team are now replacing old lock gates with new handcrafted ones and other masonry works will be done. These important works will help ensure that the Trust’s waterways can continue to be navigated by boats and remain vital green and blue spaces that are free to visit and benefit the millions of people who have a canal on their doorstep.

 

[Steve Manc]

Update on the Roachdale Canal clean up:

 

 

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/gallery/weird-wonderful-rubbish-found-manchester-26384527

[magnetman]

Nice chairs. 

[Chris Lowe]

So thats where all the traffic cones went 😁

[LadyG]

What did they do with the water, I've given up on the Rochdale due to lack of same.

 Stoppages reporting the Rochdale Canal is closed, while it's clearly not, but rather discouraging , which is a good thing. Suitable for paddle boats, I trust they pay their licence. No way would I risk falling in the canal, the water is absolutely foul.

 

[TheBiscuits]

12 minutes ago, LadyG said:

the water is absolutely foul.

 

If you think it's 'orrible on the eastern side you're not going to be very impressed by the western side!

[beerbeerbeerbeerbeer]

12 minutes ago, TheBiscuits said:

 

If you think it's 'orrible on the eastern side you're not going to be very impressed by the western side!

I thought they were cleaning it up in advance of for Our LadyG’s arrival ?

😃

[LadyG]

16 minutes ago, TheBiscuits said:

 

If you think it's 'orrible on the eastern side you're not going to be very impressed by the western side!

I gave up on going over the summit due to weather, now due to lack of water. I'm hunkering down for a bit, after the stresses of travel, lol. Roll on summer.

Edited March 5, 2023 by LadyG

[dixi188]

Last time I went up the rochdale 9 in 2019 there was so much water we had to lower the upper pounds to stop the water coming over the gates so they could be opened.

[Adam]

7 hours ago, LadyG said:

What did they do with the water, I've given up on the Rochdale due to lack of same.

 Stoppages reporting the Rochdale Canal is closed, while it's clearly not, but rather discouraging , which is a good thing. Suitable for paddle boats, I trust they pay their licence. No way would I risk falling in the canal, the water is absolutely foul.

 

Isn't there gate replacement in Rochdale centre going on until mid march?

 

Admittedly it seems silly closing all 3 Pennine routes over the winter