The charity which manages the Rochdale Canal has released an update on repairs following ‘substantial subsidence’ at a Failsworth lock.

The Oldham portion of the canal has been closed since Thursday, January 11, due to the subsidence. The towpath remains open.

The Canal & River Trust released an update on repairs on Friday, January 26 just after 2pm.

Sign up to our newsletters to get the latest stories sent straight to your inbox.

It reads: “Our Engineers have now completed the design phase and established a method of repair for the subsidence that’s taken place at Lock 67, Tannersfield Middle on the Rochdale Canal. 

“We’re currently in the process of liaising with third party specialist contractors and ordering the necessary materials required to undertake the works.

“Our contractors are scheduled to commence on site Tuesday 6 February.

“We will provide a further update on progress by Friday 9 February.”

The Canal & River Trust has been contacted with a request for additional information on the repairs to the subsidence at Lock 67, Tannersfield Middle.

Follow The Oldham Times on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, and Threads.

The disruption, which sees the canal closed to boats from Hollinwood to Miles Platting, comes after last year saw boaters unable to use the canal for weeks at a time, with some boaters calling the waterway the dirtiest they’d ever encountered.

An almost 12-mile-long portion of the canal between Failsworth and Littleborough is considered a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the presence of Floating Water Plantain – a rare type of plant.

The canal, opened in 1804, was the first of three to cross the Pennines when it was built, used to carry cargo such as coal and food, towed by horses along the towpaths.

By the 1950s, commercial carrying had virtually finished and the canal, which was still in private hands, closed.

The canal was restored decades later, with the full canal re-opened in 2002.

Prior to 2012, the canal was managed by British Waterways, which was wholly owned by the government.

However, this was replaced by the Canal & River Trust charity in July 2012.

According to the government, its policy is that the Canal and River Trust should become "progressively more self-sufficient financially".   

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Oldham. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk or click to send me a message on WhatsApp or on Signal on 07517566383.