Calder & Hebble - what's new? When to open?

[Emerald Fox]

Interesting, that, Mac! I wonder what the yard will feel like in June. Rather an historic occasion.

[Midnight]

Works starts on Elland Bridge

 

http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/calderdale/work-starts-on-demolishing-elland-bridge-1-7869686

 

I have been told by a CRT manager that they are aiming to have the canal open by the end of june, although the main road crossing will take longer to finish.

Edited April 24, 2016 by Midnight

[Ian Mac]

Last week the restoration of lock 13 on the Rochdale was finished and the contractors are in the process of handing it over to C&RT. The contract to repair the embankment and wash wall below lock 12 has now been let and the contractors are moving things down the canal to gain access. This site can only be accessed by canal, or a small footpath.
There is some pre-work due to be done at the site of the breach below lock 17 this week.

Don't know what's happening at the landslip other than I've heard rumours that the whole hillside is still on the move.

 

Forgot to say there is still a hole in the bed of the canal below the west summit lock probably into the Roach culvert Conversations are happening with the EA over this one.

 

Also forgot to add that the Ellen bridge delay was BT failing to move their fibre optics.

Edited April 24, 2016 by Ian Mac

[Midnight]

Heard through the towpath telegraph that Elland will be open for two days at the end of June to allow boats out/in but will then close until Christmas. Also no chance of the Rochdale being open this year.

 

Anyone heard similar?

[David Mack]

Heard through the towpath telegraph that Elland will be open for two days at the end of June to allow boats out/in but will then close until Christmas. Also no chance of the Rochdale being open this year.

 

Anyone heard similar?

Elland will open early July and remain open for the summer. The Rochdale will be closed at the landslip for some time, so no through boating this year.

 

From the latest Boaters Update:

 

 

Those in and around the Calder Valley wont need this reminder though as were still dealing with the aftermath of the Boxing Day floods. But, if you regularly cruise the area or are planning to visit, were pleased to report that there has been real progress recently with some of the remaining larger, more challenging engineering projects.

 

The good news is that a further section of the Rochdale Canal reopened to boats ahead of the recent Bank Holiday weekend. The canal is now available for use from Hebden Bridge to the winding point at Bridge 24 just above Lock 14 near Todmorden.

 

The next section of waterway to reopen will be the Calder & Hebble Navigation at Elland and Crowther bridges where work is underway to open the channel allowing people to boat east from the Rochdale Canal onto the rest of the network.

 

Both bridges were so badly damaged by the force of the floodwaters that they had to be carefully dismantled and then completely rebuilt. Its a delicate job and were removing as many of the interesting features as possible so that they can be reused in the new bridges.

 

Its taken slightly longer than anticipated to install the temporary dams at Crowther Bridge which has pushed our programme back by a day or so. Were now aiming to reopen the canal to boats by 4 July although are working hard to make up the time and reopen at the end of June as originally planned well provide an update nearer the time.

 

One of the areas worst affected was around Todmorden on the Rochdale Canal. Here a section of canal wall was washed out causing the canal to breach. Works have recently started to repair the breach, rebuild 250 metres of collapsed wash wall and carry out repairs to Woodhouse Weir. Itll cost around £700,000 and is expected to be completed in August.

 

Nearby, a landslip also caused the surface of a slope to slide down on and into part of the canal, blocking the way with earth, trees and debris and damaging the canal.

 

Since then weve been liaising with the resident who owns the slope, with a view to reopening the canal as quickly as possible. While discussions continue regarding insurance, one of the landowners has, in the meantime, agreed to grant permission for us to access the slope. This means that we can help with the important job of assessing whether the damage caused has resulted in any further movement of the land.

 

These investigations have started and as soon as we know how stable the slope above the canal is then remedial work and clean-up plans will be started. Wed like to thank everybody in the area for their patience and would ask them to please bear with us a little longer given the precarious nature of the situation.

 

Elsewhere, works have been taking place to dredge both the Rochdale Canal and the Calder & Hebble Navigation, regrout Lock 2 on the Rochdale Canal, repair a number of culverts and carry out temporary repairs at Stainton Aqueduct on the Lancaster Canal.

Edited June 20, 2016 by David Mack

[Mac of Cygnet]

Received this morning:

 

 

Update on 01/07/2016:

 

Elland Bridge and Crowther Bridge will be open to boat traffic on Monday 4 July therefore the navigation will reopen from Crowther Bridge to Salterhebble Guillotine gate.

[Midnight]

Received this morning:

 

"

Elland Bridge and Crowther Bridge will be open to boat traffic on Monday 4 July therefore the navigation will reopen from Crowther Bridge to Salterhebble Guillotine gate."

 

Is the canal now open through to Hebden Bridge?

[Mac of Cygnet]

"

Elland Bridge and Crowther Bridge will be open to boat traffic on Monday 4 July therefore the navigation will reopen from Crowther Bridge to Salterhebble Guillotine gate."

 

Is the canal now open through to Hebden Bridge?

 

From the East, yes (from July 4, as above). The Rochdale is still closed above Lock 15.

Edited July 1, 2016 by Mac of Cygnet

[8 Hairy Feet]

That's good news for you all that have

been trapped...

[David Mack]

"

Elland Bridge and Crowther Bridge will be open to boat traffic on Monday 4 July therefore the navigation will reopen from Crowther Bridge to Salterhebble Guillotine gate."

 

Is the canal now open through to Hebden Bridge?

It would be better if the CRT notice had said the C&H will be open throughout. The wording used suggests it is closed beyond Salterhebble Guillotine.

[Mac of Cygnet]

It would be better if the CRT notice had said the C&H will be open throughout. The wording used suggests it is closed beyond Salterhebble Guillotine.

 

They sent a clarification later:

 

 

Update on 01/07/2016:

 

For clarity this will enable craft to navigate the whole length of the Calder & Hebble canal and up to Lock 12, Hebden Bridge on the Rochdale Canal

 

However I believe you can now go up to Lock 15, as I stated earlier.

[Mac of Cygnet]

The Calder & Hebble was supposed to re-open today, but I haven't had any confirmation that it actually did. Anyone know?

 

But I did get an e-mail this morning from the Leeds Office (which seems to be one of the more efficient parts of CRT) about further plans:

 

 

Hello again Mac

 

I do have some more information this morning, I understand the planned further closures to rebuild the bridge will not be until November and will take approximately 3-4 weeks.

[8 Hairy Feet]

Is there any news ?

I keep looking to see if i've had an

email or I can see mention of the navigation

opening.

ETA yes the navigation is now open...

wow that's been a long time coming.

Edited July 7, 2016 by 8 Hairy Feet

[David Mack]

Latest from CRT is that they expect the Rochdale to reopen by the end of September.

 

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/our-regions/manchester-and-pennine-waterways/flooding-updates-in-your-area/richard-spencer-flooding-blog

[Dave123]

That's good news. Hopefully they will make the new bank easy to moor to?

[Mac of Cygnet]

I came through Elland bridge yesterday. The concrete centre is now in place, but the word is that it will be closed again from Oct 31 to the end of next March for replacement of the stones. This gives a total of over a year's closure.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, the re-opening of the Rochdale has slipped a bit, but is planned for a few days from now.

[Mac of Cygnet]

An update.  Elland bridge is now completed and opened a few days ago.  I came through it yesterday, and very good it looks too, with every stone back in its rightful place (allegedly).  Just a bit of tidying up going on.

By contrast, Crowther bridge, further down, is still a work in progress, and has been closed from 10 till 4 on 3 days this week for concrete sections to be lifted in. I'll be going through tomorrow, I think.