Waterway Notices / Lock 7, Rochdale Canal

We have received confirmation that the dive team will be on site on Tuesday 24th November to carry out the works at Lock 7.

We will update the notice following the works to update boaters on the status of the Lock.

We are waiting for Dive Contractors to come in and to carry out the works of removing the broken paddle from the paddle hole and using underwater cutting gear, replacing it with a new paddle and then attaching it to the paddle rod and testing it, to ensure that it is working before they leave site. We will update the notice on Friday 13th November when we hope to receive further information on when we are able to arrange to have the Divers on site.

The team have investigated and found that the existing paddle seems to have been sucked into the chamber and the rod has been bent. They are removing the rod and getting a new one made. They will also make a replacement paddle. We are arranging for a dive team to come to extricate the old paddle and fit the new one and replacement rod. We hope this work will be complete within the next two weeks and will update this notice with progress.

Staff are attending site today to further assess the damaged paddle and to make a plan for repairs.

This notice will be updated tomorrow with the results of these checks.

The paddle has been damaged on the towpath side and it is not currently possible to equalise the lock. Padlocks are being put on the lock to prevent further use until this has been fixed.