THE Canal & River Trust tell us that the Calder & Hebble Navigation was opened last week after its damage in the Boxing Day floods.
It had been closed at Elland due to the damage caused to the waterway during those violent floods, that damaged the foundations of Elland Bridge.
Reopens link
The reopening reinstates the link along the Rochdale Canal from Manchester to the Yorkshire canals, that is important to those who do not care to use the tidal Trent.
The bridge had to be dismantled to get down tot the foundations for the repairs, and is now safely stored to be replaced on the rebuilt Elland Bridge, with similar work taking place at Crowther Bridge that was also damaged.
Foundation in place
Now that the new foundations are in place, is is possible to reopen the navigation to boats once again.
The Government has pledged up to £5m for the replacement of the two bridges, that will be constructed in tandem making it more cost effective, and are expected to be completed by the end of the year.