The Bridgewater Canal Company has confirmed that repairs following the New Year's Day breach at Little Bollington have progressed into their next phase, with stabilisation works nearing completion and formal design work now underway.
SLR Consulting, formerly Wardell Armstrong, has been appointed as principal consultant to lead on the design and project management of the embankment reinstatement, following a competitive tender process.
Since the breach in January, which saw one side of the canal's embankment completely give way following unrelenting rainfall, extensive work has been undertaken to protect and secure the waterway.
Temporary dams, stoplogs and embankment support measures have stabilised the site, reducing the unnavigable stretch to under half a mile.
A key milestone came in September when the National Trust, the adjoining landowner, released its geo-environmental site investigation, undertaken with guidance from Cheshire East Council and the Environment Agency.
Artist impressions of the reinstated embankment
The report confirmed that flood-affected soils at the site do not pose a risk to human health from chemical or microbiological sources, enabling full access for specialist surveys which have now been completed.
Further targeted ecological and environmental surveys will take place in the coming weeks. Once finalised, the contractor procurement process can begin.
Subject to the outcomes of these surveys and engineering design, the company envisages construction works beginning in summer 2026, with completion by the end of next year.
SLR Consulting said: "We're pleased to support the Bridgewater Canal Company as this project moves into the design and planning phase. With our experience in civil engineering and canal infrastructure, we look forward to helping restore this historic stretch of the Bridgewater Canal."
Peter Parkinson, Managing Director of the Bridgewater Canal Company, said: "We recognise how important the canal is to boaters, local residents and the wider Cheshire Ring.
"We're pleased to have appointed SLR Consulting as principal consultant; their extensive experience in civil infrastructure and canal projects will be invaluable as we move into the next phase of these complex repairs.
"We remain committed to restoring navigation and will continue to keep everyone updated as plans develop."
The January 1st breach was the most severe incident on the Bridgewater Canal in over 50 years. A breach of similar magnitude near the Bollin aqueduct in 1971 closed the canal for two years.
Once completed, the repairs will restore navigation on the Cheshire Ring, a popular circular canal route in the North West.
