The Leeds and Liverpool Canal will be brought back into industrial use next year when it’s used to transport goods to help replace a Victorian railway bridge.

Goods and materials will be transported by barge as part of work to replace the bridge between Rishton and Church & Oswaldtwistle stations. At the same time, a pontoon will also be placed on the canal at Rose Grove to create a safe working space for engineers to strengthen another railway bridge.

The work is part of a £3.95m investment by Network Rail to improve journeys on the East Lancashire line which runs between Blackpool, Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire.

The vital work means sections of the railway between Blackburn and Colne, and Blackburn, Accrington and Todmorden will be closed between 15-23 February. 

Sarah Padmore, scheme project manager at Network Rail, said: “We are always looking at innovative ways we can help provide a better railway while causing the least amount of disruption to passengers and local communities. Using the Leeds and Liverpool Canal was an obvious way to do this and we will be transporting material to and from site throughout the work.”

Mark Overum, area operations manager from the Canal & River Trust, said: “It’s great that Network Rail is using the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to transport goods along it instead of using the road and we’re are pleased to be working with them on this project. The Leeds & Liverpool Canal is a fantastic resource for all to enjoy so we encourage people to spend some time by the water as we know that improves people’s health and well-being.”

As well as the bridge work, new drainage will also be installed in the Rose Grove area to help protect the railway during heavy rainfall. Track improvements will also be delivered at Townley Tunnel and Gannow Junction.

There also will be two closures of the canal and its towpaths by Oswaldtwistle Golf Course from Monday 20 January until the Friday 13 March and at Rose Grove from the 27 January until 6 March.

The East Lancashire line is used by passengers travelling between Blackpool, Preston, West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, via Accrington and Burnley.