Leeds & Liverpool falling apart

THE weekend saw two more stoppages on the Leeds & Liverpool, making four in addition to winter works.

One—of course—was another swing bridge, this time Milman Swing Bridge (214) at Apperley Bridge that is out of action and the navigation closed, Keith Gudgin reports.

This followed the failure of Coxhead Swing Bridge last Wednesday that was repaired and open on Friday.

Much more serious

The other, much more serious in this day and age, is a broken cill on Ell Meadow Lock (89) at Wigan, (pictured) with Canal & River Trust stating that its teams have been on site attempting a repair that failed, so further inspections are required, due on site today, Monday, with again, the navigation closed. Unlike in the past, broken cills now take a great deal of time to repair.

Newlay Top Lock that suffered a broken paddle and was closed on the 16th, is still closed.

The 'leak' at Altham Embankment  by Bridge 118  that closed the waterway at Hapton is hoped to be rectified by Tuesday 8th March.