Engineers are carrying out investigations on the embankment of the Shropshire Union Canal in Nantwich, writes Jonathan White.
The work is taking place between the Nantwich Aqueduct over Chester Road and Bridge 92 near Nantwich Marina, and is being carried out by Arcadis on behalf of the Canal & River Trust.
The ongoing investigation includes the installation of monitoring wells along the embankment.
These wells will help assess water movement and pore water pressure, providing key data on potential risks such as seepage, internal erosion (piping), or slope instability.
Core samples have already been taken to examine the embankment’s structural condition.
Pontoonworks, a specialist contractor, is also supporting the project by a supplying a floating platform, which allows engineers safe access over the water for sampling and monitoring.
Cheshire East Council has intermittently closed Public Footpath No. 5 in the Parish of Henhull (Henhull FP5). The closure covers a 450-metre section.
The work is expected to be completed within four to six weeks, subject to weather conditions.
Simon Harding, a project manager at waterways charity Canal & River Trust, previously told Nantwich News: “Our charity will be carrying out a routine inspection of the embankment.
“This is part of our cycle of monitoring, maintenance and repairs to keep the canal navigable and available for local people to use and enjoy.
“The project will take some core samples so that our engineers can better understand the embankment’s structure and enable them to make an assessment about any future works needed.
“Navigation will remain open for boats but unfortunately the towpath will be closed between Bridge 92 and Nantwich Aqueduct for around three weeks.”
This section of canal has been monitored in the past after cracks appeared on the towpath.
Although no immediate issues were identified at the time, the current investigation aims to provide further assurance regarding the stability of the embankment.
As a precaution, safety gates have been installed at both Bridge 91, near the Malbank Waters estate, and Bridge 92, adjacent to Nantwich Marina.
These gates are designed to close automatically in the event of a breach to reduce the risk of downstream flooding.
A 2013 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment by Cheshire East Council identified a “Canal Hazard Zone” that could be affected by a major embankment failure.
The zone includes areas from Edmund Wright Way and Waterlode to Welsh Row and the River Weaver.
The report advised that land at or below canal level may be at greater flood risk and recommended incorporating flood resilience measures in future developments.
Despite this, the council has stated a major failure is considered unlikely, citing continued maintenance efforts by the Canal & River Trust, which manages more than 2,000 miles of canals and navigable waterways across the UK.
Further to my last letter.
I wrote to the Canal and River Trust about the matter. In their reply they confirm that the emergency gates at bridges 91 and 92 ARE fastened open and will not automatically close in the case of a breach.
Residents near to the canal (most insurance policies take this to be within 400m) might like to check that their contents and buildings policies provide adequate water damage cover.
Re the statement that there are flood control gates at bridges 91 and 92.
It would appear that the gate at bridge 92 is tied open. A serious breach would therefore be catastrophic for the area.
This needs to be addressed urgently.