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A GIANT crane towered over Macclesfield Canal last week in a six-hour "military" operation to rescue vehicles stranded after the bank collapsed nine months ago.

The owners of five cars and two vans watched with bated breath as their treasured transporters were hoisted over the water to safety.

The embankment between bridge 41 and 42 crashed into the water in March 2008, nearly crushing a dog-walker, causing £500,000 of wall damage, and leaving seven vehicles stuck as the access road was deemed unsafe.

British Waterways (BW), in charge of the canal and wall, paid £4,000 for the 200ft crane, which has 100 tonnes of lifting power.

Drivers like Ken Miller, whose £5,000 Toyota Yaris was one of the stranded cars, have made do with hire cars supplied by BW while their vehicles were marooned for nine months.

"I’m just delighted it’s all over, relieved more than anything," said Ken, 84, of Richmond Hill, Macclesfield.

"It has taken so long to get our cars back and now it’s finally happened."

Richard Geary, 54, had two vans stuck.

The father-of-five said: "It has been a nightmare over the last couple of months. I’m just glad to be getting my vans back. It was very efficient, military-like."

But both men fear that despite regular check-ups, lasting damage may have been caused since the bank collapsed.

The crane was based in Richmond Place courtyard to complete the job on Friday, January 16.

Overseeing the operation, Chris Garland, project manager with BW, said he had been on a few assignments involving a crane – but never one for lifting out cars.

He added: "We had to look at all the different possibilities for getting the vehicles out, and using the crane was the last option."

The giant slice of brick still lies perilously on the side of the canal, blocking the towpath.

BW will now begin repairing the wall with work expected to be finished in six months, at a cost of £500,000.

Masonry buttresses were rebuilt in the autumn for stability, and the rubble will be removed before the next stage can begin.

But a reopening date for the towpath has not been set.

Chris added: "Work to repair the wall is fully underway and we’re requesting people stay well away from the surrounding area while the work is taking place.

"Public safety has to be our highest priority."