Canal & River Trust asking for help to save water

Published: Saturday, 06 August 2022

IN ITS effort to save water Canal & River Trust is asking boaters to take more care and report leaks, it explaining:

Saving water is a team effort and boaters are by far the best partner we have: your support really is invaluable. We’re asking all boaters to be even more careful than usual to conserve water and to follow boating best practices such as sharing locks where possible, waiting if a lock is set against you, and closing gates and paddles after use.

Report leaks

We’re also asking boaters to report any leaks by calling 0303 040 4040 or emailing via canalrivertrust.org.uk/contact-us

We are reviewing water levels on a daily basis and will introduce water saving measures as necessary. Similarly, if it rains and we are able to remove or lessen restrictions, we will do so straight away. For real time updates please check the Stoppage Notices.

To help water resources last as long as possible, and after consultation with the hire boat trade and local stakeholders, we started limiting the opening hours at certain lock flights from April to make the available water last as long as possible.

Where a navigation is closed we are carrying on with works to help retain water and, where possible, bringing forward essential maintenance that has been scheduled for this winter.

Canals closed or restricted

Ashton Canal—open but at risk of closure in near future

Caldon Canal—Hazelhurst Flight currently closed, whole canal to close from 8 August

Chesterfield Canal—to be closed from 12 August from Lock 41A to Norwood Tunnel East Portal

Coventry Canal—closed from Locks 1 – 5 from 12 August

Grand Union Canal—Leicester Line – restrictions at Watford and Foxton from 8 August

Huddersfield Narrow Canal—closed

Leeds & Liverpool Canal—closed from Locks 30 to 85

Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Leigh Branch—restrictions in place for booked passage two days a week

North Oxford Canal—restrictions at Hillmorton from 12 August

Peak Forest & Macclesfield Canals—Marple and Bosley lock flights closed

Rochdale Canal—closed from Locks 1 - 45 (pre booked passages to be honoured)

South Oxford—restrictions at Claydon from 8 August and Napton/Marston Doles from 15 August

Trent & Mersey Canal—currently closed from Locks 41 – 71. Restrictions in place across summit and Stoke Flight until 7 August. Closed from Locks 29 to 40 from 8 August, with summit and Harecastle Tunnel remaining open.