Collapse of the Bridgewater Canal

Guidance and advice following the collapse of the Bridgewater Canal in Little Bollington.

Further information will be added as it becomes available.

We continue to work closely with partner agencies as part of the recovery operation.

What happened at the canal

Significant rainfall resulted in flooding and the collapse of the Bridgewater Canal in Little Bollington, near Dunham Massey, on New Year’s Day 2025.

The flooding was classified as a major incident, with a multi-agency response by local partners.

Emergency stoplogs – which are designed to cut off or stop the flow of water – were installed at Adgen and Dunham by the Bridgewater Canal Company, which is part of the Peel Group, to isolate the affected section. This led to around 1.9 miles (3kms) of the canal being drained of water.

This action also prevented a full loss of the canal and helped to stop further flooding which had been caused by extreme weather leading up to the incident.

In order to avoid potential health risks, the public are currently advised to avoid the area.

The current situation

Since the breach at Little Bollington in early January, the Bridgewater Canal Company team has been working to protect the canal and surrounding infrastructure.

The current aim is to have the canal fully reopened to navigation – including the Cheshire Ring – by December 2026. 

In July, new timber stoplogs, which control water levels and flow, were installed at Woodhouse underbridge on the north side of the breach, enabling the removal of the temporary portadams. 

This is a robust medium-term solution that will stay in place until the breach is repaired, and the canal is reopened.

An engineered earth dam will be installed to the south side of the breach, near Bollington underbridge. This is currently being designed and once installed, will ensure the canal is safe and secure on both sides of the breach. 

This will then allow the temporary portadams to be removed from this location and the repair works to safely begin.

The temporary earth dam at School Lane, Dunham Massey, has been reopened for navigation, with the remaining spoil planned to be removed in the future.

For questions or more information, visit the Bridgewater Canal website or email. 

The investigation into the cause of the collapse of the canal embankment is ongoing.

Safety of the public

We have been advised by the Environment Agency of possible contamination following the collapse of the canal.

Flood water and sediment from the canal has spilled over into the neighbouring area and there may be sediment from the bed of the canal on the towpath and local footpaths.

Environment Agency officers have closely monitored the site and taken samples for analysis.

Currently, no environmental impacts have been detected.

However, further sampling of silt deposits must now take place, with results due in spring. Only after that will it be possible to fully rule out any contamination.

Access to the area of the canal in the immediate area has been closed and the public should avoid these areas. A number of public footpaths have been closed.

Signage is in place to advise of these closures and advising people to stay clear of the site.

See the map on our interactive mapping

If you have visited the affected area and feel unwell

Anyone who has accessed these areas along the affected stretch of canal and is feeling unwell, should use NHS 111 online as the first point of contact for non-urgent medical advice, call 111, or visit your local pharmacy.

Drinking water is not affected by this incident.

If you have been impacted by the incident and need support

Any affected boaters, who need further assistance are asked to contact the Bridgewater Canal team, by email or calling 0161 629 8432.

Anyone in the Little Bollington area impacted by the incident and needing assistance from the council should contact: 0300 123 5500.

United Utilities

The incident damaged part of the public sewer that discharges into Dunham Massey wastewater treatment works.

Currently, the part of the sewer network that transports wastewater from Little Bollington to Dunham Massey wastewater treatment works is damaged and not useable.

To maintain service to residents of Little Bollington, United Utilities have put in place alternative arrangements to transport wastewater to the treatment works via tankers. The Wastewater Treatment Works continues to operate as normal.

You may see tankers in the local area around Park Lane and Park View, helping United Utilities to transport wastewater to the works.

Unfortunately, due to the complex repairs that need to happen, a definitive timeline cannot be given of when these works will be completed or when flow into the treatment works can be restored from this part of the sewer network.

 United Utilities continues to look at options to minimise disruption and put the sewer back into operation and would like to thank residents for their patience throughout this incident.

 Contact United Utilities.