The Caldon Canal has breached between Leek Tunnel and Bridge 9
Last updated 10:30 on 17 November 2009
.jpg)
On Thursday morning , 12th November we were notified by both BW and a number of our members that the Caldon Canal had breached near to Leek. It is thought that the breach occurred in the early hours with various reports from local people putting it between 2 and 5am. BW duty engineers were on site shortly after a call was made to them and stop planks were installed at Leek tunnel as quickly as possible. Unfortunately most of the water in the summit pound had drained away leaving the pound down by at least 18 inches all the way to Stockton Brook.
Early indications are that the breach was caused by a previously unknown and unused culvert below the canal, which had collapsed, but BW are still investigating this theory.
Trust members visited the site of the breach and spoke with BW staff who were assessing the situation. We have subsequently been interviewed by local radio and newspapers, as well as providing information to the waterways press and other interested parties.
Our
photos of the breach and it's effects in other parts of the summit pound
can be found here
There are more excellent photos and a video shot whilst water was still draining out of the canal on the "Boats and Canals" website
Radio Stoke live interview with Darren Green from BW and our own John Rider is now on the BBC iPlayer starting at around 34:40 for 6 minutes or so (use the scroll bar to find the bit you want.) Available for UK users only until 20th November.
An article was published in the Sentinel newspaper on Friday. A photograph of the breach made the front page of the newspaper (see right)
We have been asked to clarify where the breach occurred. The location is at the centre of the Google map below, just before the point where the canal curves to the north east. Leek tunnel is just off at the bottom of the map. The end of the canal is at top centre.
The canal from Etruria to Froghall and the Leek Branch from Hazlehurst to Leek Tunnel have now reopened. The section beyond Leek Tunnel will remain closed for the foreseeable future. Initial estimates have suggested this could be at least four months but we await the assessment from BW engineers.
Initial alert from British Waterways 12 November 2009:
A breach of the canal occurred earlier this morning between Leek Tunnel and Bridge 9 on the Leek Branch of the Caldon Canal. As a consequence the channel is dewatered between Stockton Brook Lock 9 and the Leek terminus. Navigation is being suspended between Bedford St Lock 1 and Stockton Brook Lock 9 in the interim to allow re-watering once the breach site has been isolated.
Work teams are currently on site and are making the area safe.
Winding for craft below Stockton Brook Lock 5 will be at Milton (between bridge 17 and 18).
Navigation is currently available below Hazlehurst locks with winding at Cheddleton Flint Mill adjacent to bridge 42.
Winding is available below Bedford Street Lock 1.
British Waterways apologise for the inconvenience caused.
The towpath is also closed
Enquiries: 01827 252000
More stoppages on this waterway: http://www.waterscape.com/canals-and-rivers/caldon-canal/boating/stoppages
BW update at 16.00 on 12 November 2009
Stop planks have been installed at Leek Tunnel and water levels are now recovering between Stockton Brook Lock 9 and Leek Tunnel though not sufficient to allow navigation to re-commence. Navigation is still suspended between Bedford Street Lock 1 and Stockton Brook Lock 9 until further notice.
Engineering teams are now assessing the nature of the failure and potential solutions to the channel and embankment.
A further update will be available at 3pm on Friday 13 November 2009
BW update at 15.00 on 13 November 2009
Stop planks have been installed at the west end of Leek Tunnel and water levels are now recovering between Stockton Brook Lock 9 and the Tunnel, though still not sufficient to allow navigation to re-commence.
Navigation is still suspended between Stockton Brook Lock 5 and Leek Tunnel until further notice to assist with recovery of water levels. This will be reviewed on 16 November.
Navigation between Bedford Street Lock and Stockton Brook Lock 5 is now available.
Winding for craft below Stockton Brook Lock 5 will be at Milton (between bridge 17 and 18). Navigation is currently available below Hazlehurst locks with winding at Cheddleton Flint Mill adjacent to bridge 42.
A further update will be available at 9.30am on Monday 16 November 2009.
BW update at 09.40 on 16 November 2009
The breach length between Leek Tunnel and the terminus remains dewatered whilst the engineering teams investigate the nature of the failure.
Water levels have now recovered between Stockton Brook Lock 5 and Leek Tunnel to allow navigation to be available from 10.00 am this morning.