Macclesfield canal

[Arthur Marshall]

We've sprung a leak between Macclesfield and Bollington. It was noticed but, astonishingly, it got worse before anything got done about it. Who could have guessed that might happen?

 

"Over the weekend, we became aware of a leak on the Macclesfield Canal. Our teams were able to trace the source and install a temporary sheet to prevent the situation from becoming more severe.

 

Our teams returned to site on Tuesday to begin repair works. Unfortunately, since the initial visit, the leak has worsened and a different repair approach is now required. This will involve installing stop planks and a dam, and lowering the water level in the affected section of the canal.

 

To enable this, stop planks will be installed at Bridge 33 and a dam at the old bridge abutments at Bridge 32 on the morning of Friday 23 January, starting at 8:00am.

 

We apologise for the short notice. Our teams will do everything possible to keep repair timescales to a minimum. We will provide a further update on or before Friday 30 January.

 

At this stage, we expect the repairs to take approximately one week, although this will be confirmed once the affected section has been dewatered and repairs are underway."

 

Edited January 22 by Arthur Marshall

[wandering snail]

3 minutes ago, Arthur Marshall said:

We've sprung a leak between Macclesfield and Bollington. It was noticed but, astonishingly, it got worse before anything got done about it. Who could have guessed that might happen?

 

"Over the weekend, we became aware of a leak on the Macclesfield Canal. Our teams were able to trace the source and install a temporary sheet to prevent the situation from becoming more severe.

 

Our teams returned to site on Tuesday to begin repair works. Unfortunately, since the initial visit, the leak has worsened and a different repair approach is now required. This will involve installing stop planks and a dam, and lowering the water level in the affected section of the canal.

 

To enable this, stop planks will be installed at Bridge 33 and a dam at the old bridge abutments at Bridge 32 on the morning of Friday 23 January, starting at 8:00am.

 

We apologise for the short notice. Our teams will do everything possible to keep repair timescales to a minimum. We will provide a further update on or before Friday 30 January.

 

At this stage, we expect the repairs to take approximately one week, although this will be confirmed once the affected section has been dewatered and repairs are underway."

 

Is this anywhere near the previous breach?

[Jen-in-Wellies]

1 hour ago, wandering snail said:

Is this anywhere near the previous breach?

Just under two miles south of that I think. Bridge 33. 

[wandering snail]

32 minutes ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

Just under two miles south of that I think. Bridge 33. 

Thanks Jen.

[Jen-in-Wellies]

Latest email from CaRT and on their online map suggests this is now a towpath closure only and the navigation is open. Yesterday, they were talking about fitting stop planks and draining the affected section today. Anyone know the actual situation? 

[Jen-in-Wellies]

To answer my own question.

The navigation closure is real. There are stop planks in at bridge 33, though it is still in water north of there. Towpath is also closed.

[Jen-in-Wellies]

Quote

Update 30 January 2026, 3:42pm

 

The repairs have now been completed. Over the weekend, we'll be removing the stop planks and carrying out checks as the canals are refilled.

Once the team has finished these final checks, we're hopeful that navigation will reopen on Monday.

A further update will be provided on Monday, 2 February.

Good progress. An essentially identical update has been given for the towpath closure in the same area.

[Jen-in-Wellies]

Open again.