Now the Leeds & Liverpool Canal is closed

Published: Wednesday, 29 April 2020

ONCE again using the reason/excuse 'to protect water resources', Canal & River Trust have closed the Leeds & Liverpool Canal yesterday, (Tuesday).

This is in addition to the closure of the Macclesfield and Peak Forest canals, Keith Gudgin reports.

According to its statement, the location of the closure is from Wigan Flight to Bingley Five Rise, including both flights.

The reason given

To facilitate essential maintenance works at Barrowford and Whitemoor reservoirs, which supply the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, water levels have been kept at a lower level than normal. This draw down along with the continued low rainfall means that we have started the boating season with less water than we need for unrestricted movement for the coming months.

So with it expecting further dry weather and Coronavirus related restrictions already in place, it has taken the decision to protect water resources further by implementing closures on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal lock flights.

Strange reason

Never before has there been three major waterways closed at what is normally the start of the boating season, and 'keeping reservoir water levels lower' is a very strange reason indeed.