Disaster on the Wigan Lock Flight! | Special Report

#narrowboat #tinyhome #news
There was a six week delay as disaster struck one of the locks of the Wigan Flight on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Several narrowboats and widebeams were stuck, unable to go up or down the flight until the team from Canal and RIver Trust had established exactly what the problem was.
Tony goes to find out and talks to the team involved in what became a mammoth job.
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[@MalcHitchen]

Hi, I'm not a boater, but a cyclist who just happens to live within a few hundred yards of the Wigan flight. I've seen all the stoppages that have occurred this year on the flight, and I genuinely feel for all you boaters. The history of the whole canal network has been a passion of mine from a very young age ( now a 67 year old retiree ) More power to all you boaters out there, because it's your license fees that keep the canals open for all of us. God bless you all.

[@MakingNewMemories]

What a lovely thing to say Malc 👍 I hope the canal - and the boats continue to give you as much pleasure for many years to come.

[@elizabethg5044]

That was very interesting. What a job, makes you appreciate what wonderful things locks are. Thanks for putting this vlog together, well done.

[@MakingNewMemories]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you Elizabeth. ❤️ The original canal engineers like Mr Brindley were indeed geniuses.

[@mrdfoutz]

A Gongoozler in the States here. Wow! The Wigan Flight closing for such a time is certainly disastrous. Cheers to the crews effecting repairs. And to you for this report. Hope all those lodged in between fared well.

[@MakingNewMemories]

Thank you! There were a few boaters who had work booked at marinas below the locks which had to be rescheduled and of course we had to change the date of our mooring in Liverpool but everything worked out OK in the end.

[@derekmills5394]

Great interview. Thank you and the CRT guy for taking the time to make such an informative vid. Much better than just complaining! What a lot of challenges they had to overcome in a short time

[@MakingNewMemories]

Thanks Derek. 👍 I think it's good to show the work they do. Sometimes even us boaters are not fully aware of what goes into such a project.

[@dannyorme338]

@@derekmills5394 no problem at all. Im glad I could be of help and get the information out there so everyone understands what we are up against when we are doing undertaking the works. Some jobs are more complex than others.

[@MakingNewMemories]

Cheers Danny and thank you for providing some valuable information! What looked like a straightforward job became something a little more complicated! Hope the rest of the team didn't take the mickey too much about you being on camera!

[@paulturner7837]

Very informative, nice of the workforce to give their time to you. Really enjoyed that Tony, thanks

[@MakingNewMemories]

Pleasure Paul, thank you

[@BrigidC]

Love when you give us a history lesson on the location. Very informative. The engineers had a big task to do. Yay! Lock 84…Back in business!

[@MakingNewMemories]

Our pleasure Brigid, thank you! ❤️

[@okbutthenagain.9402]

The "engineer" in his shiney HVC against the supervising engineer in his used work dirty HVC is telling 🤣. Loved the explanation, simple terms so everyone understands. A job well done people..Congrats.

[@MakingNewMemories]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you.

[@franmarygold9223]

Wow, what a big job. Thanks for sharing and be safe.

[@MakingNewMemories]

Thanks Fran. 👍❤️

[@daveraver9495]

Thank you for taking the time to record, produce and share this vlog. It’s really interesting and informative. It makes you realise and appreciate the planning, expertise and hard work involved in repairing the locks. Thank you 😊 safe travels and do please keep sharing your adventures on the cut 😊

[@MakingNewMemories]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for commenting Dave. ❤️ Normal travelling has commenced and our regular cruising vlogs continue next Saturday. 👍

[@gingermolinero8386]

Tony thank you for the very interesting vlog. So many steps involved in repairs. Things always more complicated than they seem at first. Safe cruising

[@MakingNewMemories]

Even as boaters I don't think we always appreciate the work involved. Fingers crossed that lock doesn't develop any more problems 🤞

[@hazelmiles2914]

This was really interesting, thank you.

[@MakingNewMemories]

My pleasure Hazel. Have a great weekend 👍

[@lesleym6952]

This was an excellent vlog Tony - glad you got something good out of your hold up. And very glad to see you and Jan back on the AmyJo bow cam!! 😃🥰

[@MakingNewMemories]

Thanks Lesley 👍 Great to be back with AJ - and the "livers!" 😁

[@johncollier7744]

Great blog. What Dan and his team forgot to mention was that Britannia Bridge was where the two ends of the Leeds Liverpool canal was finally connected together.

[@MakingNewMemories]

Thanks John for that interesting peice of history. 👍

[@WoodlandsArchive]

Thank you very much! Interesting stuff.

[@MakingNewMemories]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you 👍

[@StevesRepairs]

Thanks for this very interesting vlog and thanks to all the CRT people for doing a great job of repairing that particular Lock which looked like a massive job done in a relatively short time. I hope that you are both doing well. Take care and all the best. Stevie

[@MakingNewMemories]

Our pleasure Stevie. 👍 All well here thanks, hope you are too.

[@krazykat4349]

That was very interesting..thanks Tony

[@MakingNewMemories]

Very welcome, thank you ❤️

[@JohnDavies-cn3ro]

Really enjoyable programme, showing all the problems you guys have to overcome. But just think, 200 years old before a major repair is needed? That was a good solid job in the first place. Thanks.

[@MakingNewMemories]

The engineers certainly knew a thing or two back then 😉👍

[@live2skide1]

Very informative vlog! I learned a lot about how things work and have to admire their skill; as well as the skill of the builders before them. Thank you.

[@MakingNewMemories]

Glad you enjoyed it! Quite a big job and lots to consider including the heritage.

[@tinkytinca]

At Rodley on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, 'canal and river trust' installed a nice new road bridge over the canal. The road was closed for over 2 years. The canal passage is hit and miss (more miss than hit). Looking forward (in a month) to your next video updating us with the progress of the ongoing repairs

[@MakingNewMemories]

I believe it was Dynamic Capital and Investment who were responsible for Rodley swing bridge as they are the developers of the land. Land & Water Services installed the bridge which has had constant issues (see our previous vlog where we encouter it!) Why it is so complicated to operate is a question for those that installed it. westleedsdispatch.com/rodley-bridge-branded-not-fit-for-purpose-after-latest-incidents-company-blames-vandalism-and-user-error/

[@mikeboone4425]

Great job lets us know what's going on across the pond.

[@MakingNewMemories]

A pleasure Mike. It's good to showcase what work goes into the repairs. Usually we just cruise past thinking "yeah, great job - thank goodness it's open" without realising what goes on. Have a great weekend over there 👍

[@roberthill6216]

Thanks. I went over there on a train last week and wondered what they were doing.

[@MakingNewMemories]

And now you know Robert! Have a great week. 👍

[@bcampbarben9175]

Thank you for the update, great informative video.

[@MakingNewMemories]

Thank you. My pleasure 👍

[@nbspudley]

Nice one Tone. Good to see you’ve taken a leaf out of the Spudley book of disaster coverage- including getting crt involved in the video. 👍🏻

[@MakingNewMemories]

Ah, Mr Spudley, the male Kate Adie of canal disaster reporting! 😁 I doff my cap to you dear boy. 🫡 Yes, I was afforded the opportunity by CRT to attend the site and interview two of the team. Great bunch. Very helpful 👍

[@nbspudley]

@@MakingNewMemories Kate adie 😂

[@atticbrowser9698]

Fascinating. Thank you!

[@MakingNewMemories]

Pleasure 👍

[@robsin2810]

It would be great to have a vlog of all the work.

[@MakingNewMemories]

I was invited down for one day to give an overview as the repairs were completed. The work took over three weeks in total with a lot of consideration for health and safety due to the complexity of the job and we were 8 miles away, so whilst it might have been interesting, that would have been impractical.

[@paulbretherton5146]

Very interesting video

[@MakingNewMemories]

Thank you 👍

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid as always on the lock thanks lee

[@MakingNewMemories]

Thanks Lee. See you soon...👍

[@josephcooksley3219]

Great bit of Hydraulic Engineering 😂😂😂😂😂

[@anth5122]

My play ground as a kid 👍

[@MakingNewMemories]

👍

[@aBoatTime-uw9br]

Very interesting vlog. Thanks

[@MakingNewMemories]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you.

[@scottcochrane638]

Very interesting

[@MakingNewMemories]

👍

[@jamesallen7750]

Very interesting. Cheers!

[@MakingNewMemories]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@SteveMaggs]

Great vlog 👍

[@MakingNewMemories]

Thank you 😊

[@jean-pierredeclemy7032]

Very interesting, thanks for uploading. Is it just this one set of gates that has the wooden floorboards or is this going to be an ongoing problem all the way up the flight?

[@MakingNewMemories]

I understand many of them do, but if, or when, any of the others fail is anyone's guess. At least they've devised a plan of work should any of the others need repairs.

[@SDE1994]

1:40 I dont think water is supposed to the pouring out of the stonework, was that noted as needing repair?

[@MakingNewMemories]

There are a few locks that could do with some maintenance. The flight is due to be closed for winter so I suspect (hope) some of these will be on the "to do" list...👍

[@givman2004]

Hey. Can I ask where the pic @ 7:15 in the vid is taken please. I live 15 mins away and this image looks familiar but not 100% were its taken from. Would love to take a walk there with my dogs.

[@MakingNewMemories]

It was on the flight. Not sure of the exact lock pound, probably around 70. It's a lovely 2 and a half mile walk from top to bottom 👍

[@sarahwinfield3989]

That was good, thanks for posting. What was the cost of the repair and who pays?

[@MakingNewMemories]

Thank you Sarah 👍 No idea of the total cost, it will no doubt come from boat license fees. You could drop an email to Canal and River Trust, they might be able to furnish you with the details.

[@MerleDoughty-yw6cl]

are the canals using puddled clay to seal them or are they brick lined all the way.

[@MakingNewMemories]

AFAIK puddled clay has been used as a lining since around 1780.

[@cheakyblinder]

Got some friends who were trapped there. Is there an issue with the volunteer lockies. They seem to think CRT are withdrawing the volunteers from the flight?

[@ladygardener100]

Yes the CRT have fallen out with the vlockies, not clear on detail, but the CRT are the navigation authority

[@MakingNewMemories]

Heard all sorts of stories, but nothing official has been published yet. All we can say is that when we eventually managed to go down the flight on the day it reopened, we didn't see anyone from the Trust (employee or volunteer) on the flight. Just one guy doing some strimming by the lock.

[@IJHougfhton]

Very interesting and informative,Me and the dogs were wondering what the problem was , The system being over 200yrs old I think the Initial investment of 850k to build the whole canal in 1760 was a good investment probably that repair cost is not far of the original cost...

[@MakingNewMemories]

Thank you.👍 Your estimate is probably not far off 😁

[@cfladyread3494]

Thanks for that vlog. I really liked to see how much work goes into maintaining the canals. 🚣

[@MakingNewMemories]

My pleasure and yes, it's interesting to know exactly how they maintain and repair the network 👍

[@DeanJuvenal]

Some years ago we went down that whole flight on our way to Stratford upon Avon. Fortunately we paired up with another narrow boat with a lively crew. Whilst welcoming your film, you don’t say what the “disaster” really was or how it was caused. Well not for a non technical person like myself. Perhaps you could add that to your written message, please.

[@MakingNewMemories]

Wigan to Stratford upon Avon is quite some journey! The disaster was the failure of the lock cil, explained by Danny and the resultant 6 week closure of the entire flight. Apologies if that wasn't clearly made.

[@DeanJuvenal]

@@MakingNewMemories We had started our journey at Silsden, the Saltaire side of Skipton.

[@MakingNewMemories]

Even further! Loved that section. Skipton is featured in vlog 147

[@So1othurn]

Here is a idea. How about put in new gates with something better than wood? Nostalgia can only go so far.

[@MakingNewMemories]

Wood has been used for years because it's good underwater and creates an excellent seal.

[@So1othurn]

@@MakingNewMemories Okay

[@bazra19]

Very good BUT why are we NOT using 12X12 recycled car tyre extrusion as thye Cill instead of timber? Last lomger cheeper, uses old car tyres, etc etc

[@MakingNewMemories]

Interesting idea and recycling would indeed be welcomed, but as I'm no engineer I couldn't give you a definitive answer. 👍

[@thebrowns5337]

Just my thought but wood can be more sustainable than recycled plastic and won't release toxic chemicals or microplastics into the water. It lasts a long time underwater as long as it stays under water. It will only rot with wet/dry action. As for physical damage they would both suffer there.

[@janej55uk]

@@bazra19 most of the canal infrastructure, locks, original bridges etc are listed structures. This makes updating difficult and repairing expensive but it's old heritage.

[@GBPaddling]

Been passing this every day and had no idea how much aggro was being suffered..........Who needs Men eh Ladies? 😂😂😂

[@MakingNewMemories]

😉

[@we-are-electric1445]

Interesting but the explanation of what they did was about as clear as the mud they were moving.

[@MakingNewMemories]

Thanks for watching. Next time I'll ask them to do some simple diagrams or pictures which might make it easier for you to understand.

[@GrahamHayward-ud1fi]

Wigan flight is 21 locks not 23

[@MakingNewMemories]

No. There are 23 locks in Wigan, from lock 65 to lock 87 www.nationaltransporttrust.org.uk/heritage-sites/heritage-detail/wigan-lock-flight?lr=1#:~:text=A%20short%20section%20of%20just,known%20as%20the%20Wigan%20Flight

[@thoughtsonnarrowboatingwit3882]

I’m always curious but apprehensive when clicking on some of these narrowboat vlogs. ‘We got threatened on the towpath’. ‘We were robbed’, and ‘boat life sucks’ are just for click bait and quite honestly, do nothing for the boating ‘image’ and potentially turn people off the life. ‘Disaster’ on this occasion maybe justified, the fact that I am in construction and knew about this got me watching. I have seen photos from a friend of mine who knows I live on the canals. The boys have done a tremendous job. I just wish, the dramatic, ‘vloggers’, would be a little more mindful of what to stick on these thumbnails, it’s turning people off the life.

[@MakingNewMemories]

We try to be as truthful as possible when creating thumbnails and video descriptions. Being honest about what boat life entails is always the best policy. We certainly wouldn't want to put potential owners off, but then again we wouldn't want to create some sort of utopia where everything is plain sailing (no pun intended!😁)

[@dannyseville2543]

@thoughtsonnarrowboatingwit3882 it's pretty much the norm these days for some reason. If I find a channel that interests me, I give them 1 chance with a click bait thumbnail. Second time I'm out.

[@Kx0195]

@@thoughtsonnarrowboatingwit3882 just my anecdotal experience: I've spent years riding up and down the canals, significant distances. Usually a mile daily at least. I've never had any issues with the local one. I wouldn't say my experience is the general but I can't foresee the canals being any more dangerous than the UK streets at the moment.