Navigation Restriction: Hayhurst Swing Bridge, Weaver Navigation

Since our last update, our engineers have carried out further testing on Hayhurst Swing Bridge, including removing the wedges that secure the bridge deck in position and carrying out necessary servicing works.

During these works, an issue within the bridge structure was identified which requires further investigation to identify the cause of the issue and determine what repairs are needed.Once the issue has been identified and rectified, we will be able to arrange the test swings of the bridge. As previously advised, these will require an overnight road closure, and adequate notice will be provided once a date has been confirmed.

A further update will be provided on or before 30 October 2026.

Our engineers and contractors are currently carrying out further inspections and developing plans for remedial works to restore full operation of Hayhurst Swing Bridge. This will require obtaining permission from the local authority for an overnight road closure during September.

We will provide a further update on or before 30 September 2026.

Our specialist engineers have successfully dewatered the pontoons. The next step is for our engineers to carry out test swings of the bridge to ensure it is safely operable. While this is taking place, they'll also be completing further inspections of the caissons to help identify the cause of the issue.

A further update will be provided on or before Thursday, 21 March.

During essential repair works to restore full operation of Hayhurst Swing Bridge, our team identified that the pontoons had become flooded and now require pumping out.

Our specialist engineers are currently developing a safe and effective method for dewatering the pontoons and understand what caused the pontoons to flood. Until these works can be carried out, navigation at Hayhurst Swing Bridge is restricted to vessels with an air draught greater than 14 ft 6 in (2.3 m).

This restriction is due to a mechanical fault that currently prevents the bridge from being safely operated.

If your vessel is able to pass through Anderton Boat Lift, these restrictions do not apply.

A further update will be provided on or before Thursday, 30 April.

Our specialist teams have planned the essential repairs required to restore full operation of Hayhurst Swing Bridge. These works will require a planned road closure, and we are currently awaiting confirmation of the necessary permissions from the local highways authority before a start date can be confirmed.

In the meantime, navigation at Hayhurst Swing Bridge is restricted to boats with an air draught greater than 14 ft 6 in (2.3 m). This is due to a mechanical fault that prevents the bridge from being safely operated.

If your boat dimensions allow passage through Anderton Boat Lift, these restrictions do not apply.

We will provide a further update as soon as we receive approval to begin the repair works.

We are planning essential repairs in coordination with other scheduled works at the town swing bridge to ensure that road closures have the least impact on the local community. We expect these works to be carried out in January. This approach will help minimise disruption during the busy festive season while ensuring the repairs are completed as quickly and safely as possible.

Currently, navigation at Hayhurst Swing Bridge is restricted to boats with an air draught greater than 14 ft 6 in (2.3 m) due to a mechanical fault that prevents the bridge from being safely operated.

If your boat dimensions allow passage through Anderton Boat Lift, these restrictions do not apply.

Our team is re-evaluating this planned repair to combine further works that have arose from other routine surveys. This being considered we are planning to combine these works and request one road closure to cover all these works to reduce the impact on road users.  

Therefore navigation remains restricted to boats with an air draught greater than 14ft 6ins / 2.3m at Hayhurst Swing Bridge due to a mechanical fault preventing the bridge from being safely operated. 

If your boat dimensions are suitable for a passage through Anderton Boat Lift, these restrictions do not apply. We appreciate that this restriction may cause inconvenience to some of our boating customers, and we want to reassure you that we are working as quickly and safely as possible to resolve the issue.

A further update will be provided Friday 14 November.  

Our team is still liaising with the local council to confirm a date for a planned road closure, to carry out the repairs to Hayhurst Swing Bridge. 

Navigation remains restricted to boats with an air draught greater than 14ft 6ins / 2.3m at Hayhurst Swing Bridge due to a mechanical fault preventing the bridge from being safely operated. 

If your boat dimensions are suitable for a passage through Anderton Boat Lift, these restrictions do not apply. We appreciate that this restriction may cause inconvenience to some of our boating customers, and we want to reassure you that we are working as quickly and safely as possible to resolve the issue.

An update will be provided Friday 17 October.

Our team is still liaising with the local council to confirm a date for a planned road closure, to carry out the repairs to Hayhurst Swing Bridge. 

Navigation remains restricted to boats with an air draught no greater than 7ft 6ins / 2.3m at Hayhurst Swing Bridge due to a mechanical fault preventing the bridge from being safely operated. Navigation will be closed to vessels with air draught greater than 7ft 6ins / 2.3m during this time.

If your boat dimensions are suitable for a passage through Anderton Boat Lift, these restrictions do not apply. We appreciate that this restriction may cause inconvenience to some of our boating customers, and we want to reassure you that we are working as quickly and safely as possible to resolve the issue.

A further update will be provided Friday 26 September.  

We are currently liaising with the local council to confirm a date for a planned road closure, to carry out the repairs to Hayhurst Swing Bridge. 

Navigation remains restricted to boats with an air draught no greater than 7ft 6ins / 2.3m at Hayhurst Swing Bridge due to a mechanical fault preventing the bridge from being safely operated. Navigation will be closed to vessels with air draught greater than 7ft 6ins / 2.3m during this time.

If your boat dimensions are suitable for a passage through Anderton Boat Lift, these restrictions do not apply. We appreciate that this restriction may cause inconvenience to some of our boating customers, and we want to reassure you that we are working as quickly and safely as possible to resolve the issue.

A further update will be provided Friday 12 September.  

We are currently still liaising with our contractors for specialist equipment to be delivered.

Navigation remains restricted to boats with an air draught no greater than 7ft 6ins / 2.3m at Hayhurst Swing Bridge due to a mechanical fault preventing the bridge from being safely operated.

Navigation will be closed to vessels with air draught greater than 7ft 6ins / 2.3m during this time.

If your boat dimensions are suitable for a passage through Anderton Boat Lift, these restrictions do not apply.

We appreciate that this restriction may cause inconvenience to some of our boating customers, and we want to reassure you that we are working as quickly and safely as possible to resolve the issue.

A further update will be provided Friday 29 August.  

We have engaged our specialist contractors to carry out a detailed assessment and to develop a repair plan for Hayhurst Swing Bridge on the Weaver Navigation. The need for specialist equipment means that both the planning and delivery of these repairs will take some time.

Navigation remains restricted to boats with an air draught no greater than 7ft 6ins / 2.3m at Hayhurst Swing Bridge due to a mechanical fault preventing the bridge from being safely operated.

Navigation will be closed to vessels with air draught greater than 7ft 6ins / 2.3m during this time.

If your boat dimensions are suitable for a passage through Anderton Boat Lift, these restrictions do not apply.

We appreciate that this restriction may cause inconvenience to some of our boating customers, and we want to reassure you that we are working as quickly and safely as possible to resolve the issue.

A further update will be provided Wednesday 21 May.

Please be advised navigation is restricted to boats with an air draught no greater than 7ft 6ins / 2.3m at Hayhurst Swing Bridge on the Weaver Navigation due to a mechanical fault preventing the bridge from being safely operated.

Navigation will be closed to vessels with air draught greater than 7ft 6ins / 2.3m during this time.

If your boat dimensions are suitable for a passage through Anderton Boat Lift, these restrictions do not apply.

A further update will be provided Wednesday 7 May.