Bridgewater Canal embankment collapses near Dunham Massey following heavy rain

A section of the Bridgewater Canal embankment near Little Bollington, close to Dunham Massey, has collapsed after a night of continuous rainfall.

The incident occurred early morning on Wednesday 1 January.

Daniel Kaye, from Timperley, discovered the aftermath while walking his dog around 9 a.m. He described the scene as chaotic and surreal: “It looked like a bomb had gone off.”

“It’s a part of the canal that crosses a small valley near Dunham Massey.

"The embankment had completely given way. The steel supports for the canal groundwork were exposed, a tree had fallen, and the footpath had vanished.

"Water was pouring out like a waterfall, flooding nearby fields and stretching all the way to the wall of Dunham Massey Park.”

The collapse caused significant flooding, with water from the canal covering the surrounding farmland.

It's thought the affected stretch of the canal is owned by Peel, rather than the Canal and River Trust, which manages many waterways in the UK.

The region’s susceptibility to heavy rainfall is well-documented, with Storm Christoph in January 2021 causing severe flooding at the Swan with Two Nicks pub nearby.

Efforts are underway to assess the damage and mitigate further risks.

Engineers and emergency response teams are expected to investigate the cause of the collapse and plan repairs. Meanwhile, visitors to the area are advised to exercise caution and avoid affected paths.