Leeds & Liverpool restrictions lifted tomorrow

A RESULT of all the continuous rain means the restrictions on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal can be lifted.

Continued rain

The continued rain over the area means that the flights and locks on the waterway will be open as from tomorrow, Friday, reports Keith Gudgin.

The rain has substantially increased the inflows into the reservoirs that feed the canal, and so the trust is able to bring forward the re-opening of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal without restrictions at the following lock flights along the canal on Friday 4th August.

Johnson's Hillock Lock Flight (58 to 64). Barrowford Lock Flight (45 to 51) (pictured) Greenberfield Lock Flight (42 to 44). Bank Newton Locks (36 to 41). Gargrave (Holme Bridge Lock 30).

Flights open

Flights then open with the following opening times:

Wigan Lock Flight (86 to 65) (pictured) will be open from 8am until 5pm, last entry 12pm. Blackburn Lock Flight (57 to 52) will be open from 10am until 4pm, last entry at 3pm.

Bingley 3 & 5 Rise locks. Morning passages down the lock flights 8am until 10am, last entry at 9am.
Passages up the lock flights 10am until 12pm, last entry at 11am.

Afternoon passages down the lock flight 1pm until 3pm, last entry at 2pm. Passages up the lock flight 3pm until 5pm, last entry at 4pm.

Newlay, Forge and Kirkstall locks

Will be available for self-operation between the hours of 8am and 4pm daily. However, there will be roving lock keepers between Leeds and Newlay to offer assistance through the locks if required. Newlay pictured.

Canal & River Trust ask you to help conserve water by:

Sharing locks where possible and making the best use of the water available.
Ensuring paddles are fully closed once having passed through a lock.
Aiming for minimal contact when navigating through locks by ensuring gates are fully open as you pass through.

Pushing gates open using a boat can damage the gate lining, increasing its leakage.