Shropshire Union Canal: Emergency Stoppage at Bridge 135 and 136 (Stoak/Little Stanney)

[hvdb]

Saturday 9 November 2013 until further notice
As the result of the partial collapse of a culvert between bridges 135 and 136 on the Shropshire Union Canal at Little Stanney / Stoak it is essential that we complete an emergency isolation and dewatered inspection of the culvert in order to ascertain the full extent of the problem and to also facilitate possible emergency repairs. Works are programmed to commence at 08:00hrs on Monday 11th November 2013 when we will install two temporary fabric dams across the waterway that will provide us with a 40 meter section of dewatered canal to enable a full inspection and also the facility to initiate emergency repairs if at all possible.

These works will unfortunately prevent navigation through this length of waterway whilst the dams remain in place however we will be doing all we can to reduce the level of impact on our customers throughout these essential works. We anticipate we will need a two day window to fully ascertain the full scope of works before issuing a further update of our proposed remedial works on Wednesday 13th November 2013.

Local operatives will be out on the waterway over the weekend posting notices and contacting local customers who may be effected by theses emergency works to ensure they are kept fully informed of the situation as it develops. Our teams will also be deployed over the following days to ensure water levels are maintained at normal levels for as long as we possibly can, there will also be a requirement to reduce the loss of water through the locks at Ellesmere Port by preventing passage through these locks during the works. Our local teams will be deployed at Ellesmere Port locks on Monday 11th November to secure the locks and rack them up to prevent uncontrolled loss of water caused by any possible leakage through the lock gates.

We would request your full cooperation and patience at this difficult time as we attempt to bring the waterway back into full serviceable condition as soon as we possibly can. Should you require any additional information before or during these vital repairs.

Enquiries: Maintainance Manager 07885281688 or Duty Manager 07795367767

[BEngo]

They've let the water out now to see what the problem is. Two days before they know more.

 

N

[hvdb]

Yes, and works could take up to two weeks to complete, see latest update here:

 

UPDATE (14 November 2013): Our contractors have as planned installed two fabric dams and dewatered a 40 meter length of waterway inbetween the dams which has now isolated and provided us access to the damaged culvert. The next phase of the works commencing tomorrow 15th November 2013 will be to clear the debris from the culvert using a high pressure jetting process. Once the culvert has been cleared of debris the team will complete a CCTV camera survey to determine the overall condition of the culvert through its entire length which will enable them to develop the most effective repair options.

Until we have obtained the CCTV survey information required we are unable to provide an accurate time frame for the completion of the works, however at this stage our engineers are indicating the works could take up to two weeks to complete but they cannot be certain at this stage of the project. We will be exploring all manner of repair solutions to complete the works as speedily as we can in an attempt to reduce the impact to our customers to as small a time frame as possible. We will continue to provide regular updates on our progress over the coming days and will certainly provide a further update tomorrow 15th November once we have completed the CCTV survey.

Should they be required the nearest winding hole to the North of bridge 136 is at bridge 140a Stanney Bridge and the nearest service station facilities are located at the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port. To the South of bridge 135 the nearest winding hole is at the approach to bridge 135 Croughton Bridge with the nearest service station facilities at Northgate Basin Chester.

 

Helen

[dor]

Although I don't suppose too many people planned on going by boat - the museum at EP is holding an open weekend this weekend.

 

http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/national-waterways-museum/events/2013/11/16/open-weekend-at-the-national-waterways-museum-ellesmere-port

 

I also believe entry is free as well.

[hvdb]

Latest update:

 

UPDATE (18 November 2013): Following on from detailed CCTV surveys and onsite inspections our engineering team have now developed a design solution for the damaged culvert which will require them to complete the works from within the main channel of the canal as opposed to a possible culvert lining repair solution. They anticipate the works will take up to 3 weeks to complete which will take us up to early December, at this time they can be no more specific than that until they are able to break into the top of the culvert from the canal bed where the full extent of the works will them become apparent.

We will continue to issue updates as and when they become available but should you require any additional information please do not hesitate to contact us on the numbers provided previously.

The Canal & River Trust apologise for any inconvenience caused.

 

 

Helen