WORK is continuing on plans to fully repair the section of the Bridgewater Canal following the devasting breach in early January, with around £300,000 already spent on protecting the waterway.
Stabilisation measures have been in place since the initial incident on the canal near Dunhal Massey, and the unnavigable stretch has now been reduced to under half a mile. Design work is underway on new medium-term structures to maintain canal safety until full repairs are completed.
The Bridgewater Canal Company is targeting December 2026 for the full reopening of the canal and restoration of navigation on the Cheshire Ring.
To date, around £300,000 has been invested in protecting the canal and initial consultation with engineering partners is already underway. The company is also in discussions to share plans publicly at a potential event in Lymm this summer.
Peter Parkinson, Managing Director of the Bridgewater Canal Company said: “We know how important the Bridgewater Canal is to local people, boaters and businesses. We’ve been working hard to protect the canal and are now moving into the next phase of planning. We’re committed to delivering a long-term solution and will continue to share updates as our plans progress.”
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The canal burst its banks near Little Bollington on New Year’s Day after flooding caused by heavy rain.
The canal originally opened through Lymm in the 1770s to provide a route for trade from Manchester to the Mersey estuary and from there to the sea. In more recent times Lymm has become a Mecca for boaters on the Bridgewater Canal.
