Macclesfield & Peak Forest Lock restriction

[BilgePump]

Not good is it. Haven't been down either set of locks since pre-covid but with the lift bridge out of action now the 22 mile long  lock free stretch of Macc and Upper Peak is currently split into one of 18 miles and one of 4 miles. Only way of getting to Whaley or Buggy by water would be in a kayak.

[Arthur Marshall]

1 minute ago, BilgePump said:

Not good is it. Haven't been down either set of locks since pre-covid but with the lift bridge out of action now the 22 mile long  lock free stretch of Macc and Upper Peak is currently split into one of 18 miles and one of 4 miles. Only way of getting to Whaley or Buggy by water would be in a kayak.

I was expecting closures later in the year, but this is farcical. Huge increases in licences and mooring fees and swathes of the system shut, trapping loads of boats. Are they going to refund fees? Are they hell... but BW did when we got stuck at Ellesmere Port for months due to their incompetence.

I moved from above to below Bosley some years ago because I could see this coming. But I'm not sure three grand a year is worth paying for the few weeks boating I'm likely to manage this and next year (assuming Todbrooke doesn't run late - fat chance).  

If there's no water coming down the Macc, how are they going to keep the T&M open much longer? It was pretty low already last week.

And all because they couldn't be bothered to maintain the reservoirs and feeders.

[Cheshire cat]

I'd like to think you are being a tad pessimistic Arthur but we shall see.

 

I was quite suprised how much water was going down the feeder from Bosley Resevoir yesterday. It was a fast flowing stream. Certainly seemed like more than would be needed for a few boat passages

[Rob-M]

Hopefully the T&M will be fine for at least the next couple of weeks so we can get back to our mooring although if needs be we can just go back down the Shroppie and along the Staffs & Worcs.

[Arthur Marshall]

I did email CRT who replied saying they have no immediate expectation of any restrictions on the T&M or lower Macc... but they'll tell us if they do, so keep an eye out for announcements.

[Bugsworth Tippler]

Update on 28/06/2023:

 

Following the damage to Bridge 24, Wood End Lift Bridge on the Peak Forest Canal by a third party, the Trust have visited site, inspected the damage and restricted access for safety reasons. The Trust is now undertaking the evaluation and engineering assessments necessary to determine requirements for its repair.

Access for suitable equipment to the site is also restricted by the approach from the public highway and by a need to obtain access permissions across third party land.

As a temporary measure, this week our teams will be securing the frame in position making the structure safe to resume road access to neighbouring residents.

Our teams continue to work on all the necessary requirements to undertake a permanent repair to resume navigation, although it is anticipated this bridge will be closed for several weeks.

A further update will be provided as soon as possible but at the latest by Friday 7 July.

 

 

Several weeks !!!

Edited June 28, 2023 by Bugsworth Tippler
Added comment

[jam]

On 26/06/2023 at 14:54, Bugsworth Tippler said:

Here we go again ... Stuck for another year!

Update on 26/06/2023:

As a result of continuing dry weather, we will need to temporarily close the Peak Forest & Macclesfield Canals for navigation from 10th July until water supplies have recovered.

 

Announced today that the closing date has been delayed until 31st July. Hopefully it may be extended further.

[sigsegv]

On 05/07/2023 at 21:37, jam said:

Announced today that the closing date has been delayed until 31st July. Hopefully it may be extended further.

That's good news! Though I'm not sure the swing bridge will be fixed in time to free us from this 4 mile stretch of (admittedly extremely pretty) canal

[BilgePump]

4 hours ago, sigsegv said:

That's good news! Though I'm not sure the swing bridge will be fixed in time to free us from this 4 mile stretch of (admittedly extremely pretty) canal

There are worse places to be stuck but part of boating is thinking that you've got access to a few thousand miles of canal and not just New Mills to Whaley Bridge.

[Captain Pegg]

CRT update today is that there is no longer a fixed date for closure but that they will aim to give 2 weeks notice if and when it does occur and that it won’t be before 14th August.

 

ETA - is the swing bridge fixed? I’ve only heard about it by word of mouth and not seen a notice for it at all.

Edited July 20, 2023 by Captain Pegg

[Puffling]

1 hour ago, Captain Pegg said:

CRT update today is that there is no longer a fixed date for closure but that they will aim to give 2 weeks notice if and when it does occur and that it won’t be before 14th August.

 

ETA - is the swing bridge fixed? I’ve only heard about it by word of mouth and not seen a notice for it at all.

Good news indeed - maybe I should turn my boat around and try for the Hudds narrow instead of the Anderton Boat Lift.

Are we talking about the Wood End Lift bridge before New Mills? As I understand it, they have 'fixed' it with a temporary bodge until a crane can be got in.

 

12 minutes ago, Puffling said:

Good news indeed - maybe I should turn my boat around and try for the Hudds narrow instead of the Anderton Boat Lift.

Are we talking about the Wood End Lift bridge before New Mills? As I understand it, they have 'fixed' it with a temporary bodge until a crane can be got in.

 

[captain birdseye]

Latest update is the lift bridge has failed again. One of the main bearings has collapsed and it will be shut until replaced.

From Date: 27/07/2023 17:00

To Date: On-going

Type: Navigation Closure

Reason: Repair

Is the towpath closed? No

Please be advised navigation is closed at Bridge 24, Wood End Lift Bridge on the Peak Forest canal due to a failed bearing.

Our team are currently arranging an onsite meeting with our specialist engineers and contractors and an update on this will be provided by Wednesday 2 August.

 

[Leemc]

Had notification today to say that bridge will be lifted at 1400 on Monday for any boat that wants to escape being trapped. It will only be open for short time so you need to be there at that time.

[Chris T]

It seems to be broken more than it is operating. I don't recall this being a problem when it was a manual lift bridge, like the one next to it. 

[captain birdseye]

3 hours ago, Chris T said:

It seems to be broken more than it is operating. I don't recall this being a problem when it was a manual lift bridge, like the one next to it. 

The problem is the owner of the land across the bridge is now taking very heavy vehicles across the bridge loaded with hardcore. 

11 hours ago, Leemc said:

Had notification today to say that bridge will be lifted at 1400 on Monday for any boat that wants to escape being trapped. It will only be open for short time so you need to be there at that time.

I will be in the queue to get through on Monday. It does mean I'll be setting off for the summer a week earlier than I had planned, but that's no hardship

[Captain Pegg]

53 minutes ago, captain birdseye said:

The problem is the owner of the land across the bridge is now taking very heavy vehicles across the bridge loaded with hardcore. 

I will be in the queue to get through on Monday. It does mean I'll be setting off for the summer a week earlier than I had planned, but that's no hardship

 

I'll see you there.

 

I've been at the top end of the Peak Forest canal for 6 weeks now. It was only meant to be a day trip before heading down Marple locks but I arrived at the end in clouds of steam and smoke. A blown head gasket has now been repaired and I've rearranged my boat moving work for next week so I can get back on the connected side of the bridge on Monday. It took CRT quite a while to notice I haven't moved very far recently but for most of I woudn't have been able to get very far anyway.

 

I was on my way to Huddersfield but as the HNC hasn't been open for ages that wouldn't have happened anyway. 

[sigsegv]

On 28/07/2023 at 23:12, Leemc said:

Had notification today to say that bridge will be lifted at 1400 on Monday for any boat that wants to escape being trapped. It will only be open for short time so you need to be there at that time.

Just got through, free at last! Contractor typically showed up half an hour late 😂 think there were about 20 or so of us wanting to get out, and maybe 8 or 9 wanting to get in. Asked the contractor how bad it was when we were coming through. He said, and I quote 'it'll never lift again'. Not sure if he was taking the piss or if it really is that bad - they seemed to be worrying that something had sheared off. If that's the case, those on other side might not be free for some time

[JoeC]

1 minute ago, sigsegv said:

Just got through, free at last! Contractor typically showed up half an hour late 😂 think there were about 20 or so of us wanting to get out, and maybe 8 or 9 wanting to get in. Asked the contractor how bad it was when we were coming through. He said, and I quote 'it'll never lift again'. Not sure if he was taking the piss or if it really is that bad - they seemed to be worrying that something had sheared off. If that's the case, those on other side might not be free for some time

I'm just got on the other side and happy to be locked in for a while. If the bridge is going to be OOA for a good while then hoping they may relax the 48hr mooring in Bugsworth Basin as there is only so many times that you can cruise from there to the winding hole in New Mills!

[Captain Pegg]

I didn’t get through. Engine didn’t play ball even though I’d hoped its problems had been solved. Stuck for the foreseeable.

[Puffling]

Every cloud has a silver lining. Good news for all except those stranded behind the busted lift bridge: extra lock opening days, no 14th August closure.

[Bugsworth Tippler]

 

How complicated can it be? Several weeks!!!

Update on 04/08/2023:

 

Please be advised navigation remains closed at Bridge 24, Wood End Lift Bridge on the Peak Forest Canal due to the failed bearings.

Due to the complex repair, and the unique structure this bridge will remain closed for several weeks. Our teams are continuing to investigate alongside our specialist contractors and explore all the methods of repair that are available.

A further update on progress made will be provided by Friday 11 August.

[sigsegv]

18 hours ago, Bugsworth Tippler said:

 

How complicated can it be? Several weeks!!!

Update on 04/08/2023:

 

Please be advised navigation remains closed at Bridge 24, Wood End Lift Bridge on the Peak Forest Canal due to the failed bearings.

Due to the complex repair, and the unique structure this bridge will remain closed for several weeks. Our teams are continuing to investigate alongside our specialist contractors and explore all the methods of repair that are available.

A further update on progress made will be provided by Friday 11 August.

 

When the engineers were raising the bridge manually (they debated between them whether to use the motor or winch it up manually, opting for the latter) they seemed concerned about something shearing, or a crack, or *something* I didn't quite hear. So I'm not sure it's as simple as just replacing the broken bearing. Apparently the initial cause of damage was a vehicle (land, not a boat) hitting it, so I wonder if there was more damage than initially thought.

[Bugsworth Tippler]

49 minutes ago, sigsegv said:

 

When the engineers were raising the bridge manually (they debated between them whether to use the motor or winch it up manually, opting for the latter) they seemed concerned about something shearing, or a crack, or *something* I didn't quite hear. So I'm not sure it's as simple as just replacing the broken bearing. Apparently the initial cause of damage was a vehicle (land, not a boat) hitting it, so I wonder if there was more damage than initially thought.

Thanks for the info. If there were some urgency and heavy machinery access was available (it appears not), I'm sure this could be done in less than "several weeks". With limited resources C&RT obviously have more urgent jobs and so, yet again, the end of the Peak Forest Canal is cut off from the rest of the network and local businesses and boaters adversely affected.

[David Mack]

20 hours ago, Bugsworth Tippler said:

 

How complicated can it be? Several weeks!!!

Update on 04/08/2023:

 

Please be advised navigation remains closed at Bridge 24, Wood End Lift Bridge on the Peak Forest Canal due to the failed bearings.

Due to the complex repair, and the unique structure this bridge will remain closed for several weeks. Our teams are continuing to investigate alongside our specialist contractors and explore all the methods of repair that are available.

A further update on progress made will be provided by Friday 11 August.

I'm not familiar with this particular bridge, but with the simpler canal swing and lift bridges, the bridge deck is supported by the swing or pivot bearings all of the time, both when the bridge is open and when it is closed. That is fine for light traffic loads, but if heavy vehicles are driving over the bridge, the bearings and their adjacent supporting material can get a real hammering, leading to a failure.

Swing and lift bridges which are designed for heavy traffic have hydraulically operated wedges which lift the deck weight off the pivot bearings when the bridge is in the closed position. Opening canal bridges, originally built of timber for use by the light (and slow moving) horses and carts of the day, have mostly been replaced by more modern steel structures, but most have not been automated and so have no means of applying and retracting wedges. Hence the occasional failures, which may require more than just replacing an off-the-shelf component.

[dmr]

10 minutes ago, David Mack said:

I'm not familiar with this particular bridge, but with the simpler canal swing and lift bridges, the bridge deck is supported by the swing or pivot bearings all of the time, both when the bridge is open and when it is closed. That is fine for light traffic loads, but if heavy vehicles are driving over the bridge, the bearings and their adjacent supporting material can get a real hammering, leading to a failure.

Swing and lift bridges which are designed for heavy traffic have hydraulically operated wedges which lift the deck weight off the pivot bearings when the bridge is in the closed position. Opening canal bridges, originally built of timber for use by the light (and slow moving) horses and carts of the day, have mostly been replaced by more modern steel structures, but most have not been automated and so have no means of applying and retracting wedges. Hence the occasional failures, which may require more than just replacing an off-the-shelf component.

 

I am pretty sure the bridge concerned is a small lift bridge, and if its the one I think I remember then when we passed a couple of years ago a local farm appeared to own land on both sides and was almost continuously moving heavy loads over that bridge.

 

Closer to your home, the swing bridge at Warland on the Rochdale carries what was (I think) a bridleway but Rochdale council have given permission for a small landfill site so it is now routinely used by fully loaded four axle trucks, and without any wedges makes a huge bang every time. A lot of CRT bridges take a lot of abuse and I would like to know more about who pays for the resulting damage.

 

CRT are struggling to fix the broken lock on the Rochdale 9 so its not a good year for the Macc and Peak Forest, though surprisingly the Macc looked pretty busy last week.