The Bridgewater Canal Company is hoping to fully reopen the Bridgewater Canal near Dunham Massey in December 2026, almost two years after it suffered a significant breach earlier this year.
In a statement, the company confirmed that work is continuing on plans to fully repair the damaged section of the historic waterway, which experienced its most severe breach in over 50 years when heavy rainfall caused an embankment collapse on January 1st.
Stabilisation measures implemented since the initial incident have allowed the company to reduce the unnavigable stretch to less than half a mile.
Design work is now underway on new medium-term structures to maintain canal safety until full repairs are completed.
The company revealed that approximately £300,000 has been invested to date in protecting the canal, with initial consultation with engineering partners already in progress. Once completed, the repairs will restore navigation on the Cheshire Ring, a popular circular canal route in North West England.
Peter Parkinson, Managing Director of the Bridgewater Canal Company, said: "We know how important the Bridgewater Canal is to local people, boaters and businesses.
Watch drone footage of the Bridgewater Canal breach
"We've been working hard to protect the canal and are now moving into the next phase of planning. We're committed to delivering a long-term solution and will continue to share updates as our plans progress."
The company also announced it is in discussions to share its plans publicly at a potential event in Lymm this summer.
The January breach, which Altrincham Today captured with exclusive drone footage, saw one side of the canal's embankment completely give way near Dunham Massey, diverting water into a neighbouring field.
The incident occurred following unrelenting rain that had caused widespread flooding across the Altrincham area.
A breach of this magnitude hasn't been witnessed since 1971, when a similar incident near the Bollin aqueduct closed the canal for two years and cost £250,000 to repair - equivalent to over £3 million today.
The Bridgewater Canal, which first opened in 1761, is owned by The Bridgewater Canal Company Ltd, a member of the Peel Land and Property Group.
The damaged section had been a popular walking route for local residents before it was closed off following the breach.
