Survey and design work on the Bridgewater Canal breach at Little Bollington is complete, but repair work will start later than hoped after the August target was missed.
The Bridgewater Canal Company is now seeking a contractor. Construction cannot begin until technical reviews and responses come back from the Environment Agency, National Gas, Cadent Gas and United Utilities.
The proposed works include rebuilding the embankment, replacing the canal wall, installing a new culvert, then reflooding the canal and removing the temporary dams.
Peter Parkinson, managing director of the Bridgewater Canal Company, said: “We recognise that the continued restriction is frustrating for boaters, local residents, businesses and everyone who uses and enjoys the canal.
"While we had hoped to begin construction in August, there are a number of technical and statutory requirements that need to be resolved before works can safely commence.”
The canal breached on New Year’s Day 2025 after heavy rain. Temporary dams have since kept a stretch of less than half a mile unnavigable.
In December the company said it hoped construction would start in summer 2026 and finish by the end of the year.
A further update is due in mid-September after the next stakeholder meeting.
