Bridge 81, Potters Brook

Since our last update, it has been identified that additional temporary works are required due to ground conditions being too soft to safely support the scaffolding.

Our contractors are currently assessing available options and will undertake further ground testing this week to determine the most appropriate temporary works solution. Repair works will remain on hold until a safe and suitable plan has been agreed.

In the meantime, the current navigation restrictions will remain in place until further notice. The canal will be closed to navigation daily between 6:00pm and 6:00am, during which time vessels will not be permitted to pass beneath the bridge.

Between 6:00am and 6:00pm, navigation will remain open. To ensure safe passage, all boaters must make themselves known to the site operative stationed at the bridge before proceeding. The operative will temporarily stop traffic crossing the bridge to allow vessels to pass safely beneath.

A further update will be provided on or before Wednesday 23 September.

Since our last update contractors are continuing to erect scaffolding to make the area of the bridge safe.

Contractors will begin works to the damaged stonewall on week commencing Monday 14 September to secure the displaced masonry blocks and full navigation will resume from 10.00am on Wednesday 16 September.

However, until the repairs are completed, the overnight closure period between 6:00pm and 6:00am will remain in place daily, during which time vessels will not be permitted to pass beneath this bridge. Between 6.00am and 6.00pm navigation will be open and boaters must make themselves known to the site operative stationed at the bridge.

The signed towpath diversion also remains in place and will continue until all the repairs have been completed.

A further update will be provided on or before Wednesday 16 September.

Our contractors are currently working on designs for a temporary scaffolding that will allow the works to be carried out safely to remove the damaged stonework and rebuilding of the bridge wall.

We anticipate repairs to start in the next couple of weeks, navigation at Bridge 81, Potters Bridge will remain closed daily between 6:00pm and 6:00am and this restriction will remain in place until further notice.

During the overnight closure period, vessels will not be permitted to pass beneath the bridge.

Between 6:00am and 6:00pm, navigation will remain open. To ensure safe passage, all boaters must make themselves known to the site operative stationed at the bridge before proceeding. The operative will temporarily stop traffic crossing the bridge to allow vessels to pass safely beneath the structure.

The signed towpath diversion remains in place and will continue to be in operation until all necessary repairs have been completed.

A further update will be provided on or before Thursday 10 September.

Our engineering teams are currently assessing the damage and developing a method of repair. Due to the loose masonry, significant sections of the bridge wall on both sides of the structure will need to be removed as part of the repair works.

The signed towpath diversion remains in place and will continue to be in operation until all necessary repairs have been completed.

While navigation at Bridge 81, Potters Bridge remains closed daily between 6:00pm and 6:00am and will remain in force until further notice. At present, these restrictions are expected to remain in place for approximately four weeks, although this timescale will be reviewed once repair works commence on site. During the overnight closure period, vessels will not be permitted to pass beneath the bridge. 

Between 6:00am and 6:00pm, navigation will remain open. However, all boaters must make themselves known to the site operative stationed on the bridge prior to passing through. The operative will temporarily halt traffic crossing the bridge to ensure vessels can navigate safely beneath the structure.

A further update will be provided on or before Thursday 27 August.

Navigation remains open at Bridge 81, Potters Bridge following the installation of concrete barriers on both sides of the bridge to facilitate the road closure. However, due to ongoing safety concerns following a recent bridge strike, additional navigation restrictions will now be introduced while repairs are planned and undertaken.

A navigation closure will be in place at Bridge 81 between 6:00pm and 06:00am daily, commencing on Friday 7 August 2026. The restrictions are expected to remain in place for approximately four weeks, although the duration will be reviewed once repair works commence on site, which is currently anticipated towards the end of next week.

During the overnight stoppage period, no boats will be permitted to pass beneath the bridge. Between 06:00am and 6:00pm, navigation through the bridge will remain open. However, all boaters must make themselves known to the site operative, who will be stationed on top of the bridge. The operative will temporarily stop traffic crossing the bridge to allow vessels to pass safely underneath.

The towpath remains closed due to loose masonry. A signed diversion route remains in place for towpath users and will remain in effect until the necessary repairs have been completed.

We will provide a further update on or before Friday 14 August.

Navigation has now reopened following the installation of concrete barriers on both sides of the bridge to facilitate the road closure. However, the towpath remains closed due to loose masonry.

A signed diversion route is in place for towpath users. The towpath will remain closed until the necessary repair works have been completed.

We will provide a further update on, or before, Monday 10 August.

Navigation and towpath remains closed at Bridge 81 Potters Brooke on the Lancaster Canal due to a vehicle strike which has caused severe damage. 

Our Engineers have inspected the site and a road closure was implemented on Thursday 30 July. Barriers have been installed to close the towpath, with additional secure fencing due to be installed on Tuesday 4 August. Concrete barriers are scheduled to be installed on both sides of the bridge on Sunday 2 August.

Navigation will reopen once these barriers have been installed and it is safe to do so.

An update will be provided on or before Monday 3 August.

Navigation and towpath is currently closed at Bridge 81 Potters Brooke on the Lancaster Canal due to a vehicle strike which has caused severe damage. 

Our engineers have been informed and are on their way to site to carry out inspections and a plan for repair. 

In the meantime, boats can turn around at the winding holes at Bridge 80 (South) or Bridge 84 (North)

An update will be provided on or before Friday 31 July.