OnTheCut

10 October 2025 at 15:34

Navigation remains closed between Lock 1, Poolstock Locks and Bridge No.3, Bamfurlong Bridge on the Leigh Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal while the third-party utilities company continues with repairs to their water main and associated canal infrastructure.   The canal wash wall has now been completed, with the new sheet piled wash wall successfully installed. Following completion of the piling works, the site team plan to remove the piling mat and excavate the existing clay canal bed for inspection.   The final stages of the project will involve relining the canal bed, after which the team aim to begin refilling the canal around 27 October. Once refilling is complete, we will need to carry out testing on the repair before the canal can be reopened, and the dams removed.   Our next update will be provided on or before Friday 24 October 2025, when we hope to confirm the reopening date, subject to continued progress on site

16 September 2025 at 15:57

Navigation remains closed between Lock 1, Poolstock Locks and Bridge No.3, Bamfurlong Bridge on the Leigh Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. The third-party utilities company continue with the repairs to their water main and work on the method of repair for the canal infrastructure.

Unfortunately, due to the complexity of the repair, it is taking longer than initially anticipated and it is now expected to continue into the winter months. We are currently working through the repair designs with the third party to ensure that the canal is repaired in line with our requirements. We are hopeful to provide a more accurate timeframe for the repair in our next update.

Please note that the Ribble Link passages finish at the end of September. We are currently looking into alternative dates for a passage up on to the Lancaster Canal, however this is dependent on if there is a suitable tide following the completion of these works and the weather conditions at that time. If you are affected by this closure and need to get back on to the Lancaster Canal for the winter period, please contact our North West Customer Support Team and let them know your location. Thank you to our customers who have already contacted our team and made themselves known.

A further update on progress made will be provided on, or before, Friday 10 October 2025.

2 September 2025 at 16:07

Navigation remains closed between Lock 1, Poolstock Locks and Bridge No.3, Bamfurlong Bridge on the Leigh Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. The third-party utilities company continue with the repairs to their water main and are now designing a method of repair for the canal infrastructure.

This repair is anticipated to take several weeks, with a provisional completion date set as 30 September.

If you have a Ribble Link and/or a Liverpool Link booking that may be affected by this closure and would like to speak to our North West Customer Service Team regarding a possible alternative date, please call us on 0303 040 4040, or you can do so via your online account.).

Please note that the Ribble Link passages finish at the end of September. We are currently looking into alternative dates for a passage up on to the Lancaster Canal, however this is subject to these works. If you are affected by this closure and need to get back on to the Lancaster Canal for the winter period, please contact our North West Customer Support Team and let them know your location. Passage will be dependent on weather conditions at the time. Thank you to our customers who have already contacted our team and made themselves known.

A further update on progress made will be provided on, or before, Tuesday 16 September. 

19 August 2025 at 10:27

Navigation remains closed between Lock 1, Poolstock Locks and Bridge No.3, Bamfurlong Bridge on the Leigh Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. The third-party utilities company, with the support of our framework contractors, have now installed the dams around the water pipe and have isolated the area of the leak within the canal bed. A fish rescue has also taken place.

The third party are now looking into initial repairs to the embankment as a matter of urgency to ensure the stability of the canal bank and the aqueduct running below it. They will then further inspect the aqueduct and plan the repair. This is anticipated to take several weeks, with a provisional date set as 30 September.

If you have a Ribble Link and/or a Liverpool Link booking that may be affected by this closure and would like to speak to our North West Customer Service Team regarding a possible alternative date, please call us on 0303 040 4040, or you can do so via your online account.

A further update on progress made will be provided on, or before, Tuesday 2 September. 

13 August 2025 at 11:51

The closure on the Leigh Branch has been extended to Lock 1, Poolstock Locks to Bridge No.3, Bamfurlong bridge due to the leak from the third-party utilities water line.

Buoys and signage have been installed, and dams will be installed soon. The third party are currently onsite preparing the site for repair.

As investigations continue, we do not have a current timeline for the repair, however an update will be provided by Tuesday 19 August on progress made.

12 August 2025 at 11:20

Navigation is closed between Bridge 2A, Railway Bridge and Bridge No.3, Bamfurlong Bridge on the Leigh Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal whilst we investigate reports of a suspected leak from a third-party culvert near to Bridge 2B, Railway Bridge.

Whilst investigations continue, we politely request all customers to stay away from the affected area.

An update will be provided by Thursday 14 August.