AN MP and local councillors braved freezing temperatures to support boaters whose lives have been devastated by the breach of the Bridgewater Canal.
The canal collapsed causing thousands of gallons of water to flood out of the canal in the breach caused by an embankment collapse during storms over New Year.
Properties had to be evacuated and boats were stranded as a result.The Canal and River Trust was forced to issue a statement explaining it is run by the Bridgewater Canal Company part of the Peel Group based at Trafford.
Local Cllr Graham Gowland said: “A number of local politicians, including Esther McVey MP met with those impacted by the breach of the Bridgewater at Little Bollington
“We took away an action plan for immediate support needs and will progress this over the next few days.
“Immediately everyone is safe, which is great. We’ll update as appropriate.
“In the meantime, please keep away from the boats by Ye Old No3. If you plan on going to see the breach, the towpath runs on the North side of the canal, and you can’t see the breach from this side.
“I understand access is probably not safe on either side, but it impacts the boaters less if you go on the north bank. There are “footpath closed” signs on both sides.”
Expressing their dissatisfaction online about the lack of communication from Peel,one disgruntled boater said: “I moor on the Bridgewater Canal but I am one of the lucky ones protected by the planks installed.
“The devastation this breach has caused is so sad to see and the short-term effect is already clear.”
The boater said they feel for the people whose homes have been flooded, businesses already affected and narrowboats unable to move who are “marooned and stuck for the foreseeable future.”
The effect on the environment and wildlife is also “sad to see.”
The boater criticised the “zero presence” from Peel after the catastrophic event.
They added: “Perhaps I am being too optimistic but I genuinely hope this beautiful area of natural beauty and important heritage can be restored regardless of cost.”
Warrington Worldwide contacted owners the Bridgewater Canal Company and Peel for comment but received an automatic reply which read: “The team are busy dealing with the Breach at Dunham. As this is a live situation, we are unable to give any updates at this present time.
“The Bridgewater Canal team are working as part of the Strategic and Tactical Command Groups chaired by Cheshire Police to ensure a joined-up approach is undertaken to make the area safe and any affected parties are identified and assisted.
“Whilst we continue to undertake emergency action, we ask that people stay away from the affected area and respect both canal and road closures.
“For any other canal-related matters such as licence and moorings we will respond in a timely manner.”
The last time the canal breached was 54 years ago in 1971 as reported by Warrington and Worldwide.
Opened originally in the 1770s to provide a trade route from Manchester to the Mersey estuary and the sea beyond.
Since the decline of the canal as a trade route, it has been used by boaters using it for leisure.
4 Comments
Best of luck getting Peel to do anything quickly. They bought the Manchester Ship Canal in 1993 and just look at the state of the swing bridges over the ship canal that they are supposed to maintain.
The Bridgewater Canal is not just used for leisure, it is also peoples’ home. I have two friends who live on the canal on their boats, permanently. One of them is just now in her boat, which is stuck in the mud on the bottom of the canal at the site of the breach. The other is fortunately still afloat near Altrincham. Local people and other boaters are helping each other. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSSRIePWecs
Now the tow path in Dunham, between Back Lane and School Lane bridges has started to fall. 14m long, 5ft drop.
Don’t hold your breath for Peel to do anything