Barges stopped from using Aire and Calder 'for months' while hole in canal wall is repaired

It has put a stop to commercial operators like John Branford, who carries aggregate by canal to Leeds and he says it’s also affecting deep-laden ships from going to berth in Goole Docks because water levels are so low.

Repairing the breach is not straightforward because it occurred in a culvert underneath the canal which carries the old River Don.

The Canal and River Trust are going to build a temporary dam by putting in piles across the navigation to create a dry space.

The Trust said on Thursday the navigation will "have to be closed to all traffic, including freight, for a few months".

Mr Branford, however, believes instead of trying to repair it, it’s time “they shut off this obsolete culvert for once and for all”.

The fifth generation barge operator said as well as stopping his operations, another barge, Exol Pride, which carries lubricating oils from Hull Docks to Rotherham, is also stuck at Goole.

He said: “What they are suggesting doing is wrong. They should pump water from the old River Don, which drains the M62, into the canal, and not into the little Dutch River which is liable to flood again.

“When Fishlake flooded a year ago, it was the Dutch River that flooded into the village.

"The Dutch River is only a quarter of the size of the canal and can't take the amount of water.

"It makes no sense to keep pumping water into the Dutch River. This way ticks all the boxes and keeps the docks going and us going.”

Seán McGinley, director Yorkshire & North East for the CRT, said: “Everybody reacted well and quickly to the breach on the Aire & Calder Navigation at Newbridge on December 20.

"The temporary repair removed the risk of flooding and helped us maintain water in the canal, albeit at a lower level than normal.

“To safeguard dock operations at Goole, we are doing the best we can to give docks as much water as possible, with five large pumps bringing water in from the canal, which we are filling from the other end.

“We have also moved quickly to design a temporary cofferdam – walls that will create a dry ‘hole’ in the waterway, where we need to make the permanent repairs.

“It is a complicated balancing act, and we regret the navigation will have to be closed to all traffic, including freight, for a few months.

"We appreciate this is a difficult time for users of the waterway, but once completed, the canal will be perfectly fit for all navigation once more.”

He added: “We appreciate the input from Mr Branford and recognise his considerable knowledge of the canal, which has proved helpful to us in the past.

"We will look at his suggestions closely to determine whether they can help shape the designs of the repair work.”

Anyone who needs assistance moving their boat from the navigation can book in advance by contacting [email protected] or on 0303 040 4040.

For updatesvisit: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/an-update-on-the-aire-and-calder-navigation-breach