CLOSURES AND NAVIGATIONS UPDATE at the end of August shows drought continues to affect nearly three-quarters of England and all of Wales, the trust relates.
We have extended the suspension of the 14 days movement requirement until the end of September so you don’t have to make trips if you don’t need to.
Waterways for cruising
While water-saving closures and restrictions are in place, there are still waterways available for cruising.
We’re asking everyone out boating to be water conscious when using locks.there are currently 46 closures and 58 restrictions related to low water. It’s important to remember that stretches upstream of closures may be affected too,so please be careful if you’re boating in these areas.
Sometimes we put in short-notice closures to help water levels recover and will reopen when they are healthier. We’re constantly reviewing supply and demand, with the aim of keeping navigation available for as long as possible.
The best way to stay informed about restrictions is by signing up to email notifications for the waterways you’re interested in via the notices section of our website. Please check your route before you set off.
Work seven days a week
The map of the affected areas is shown. Our teams and volunteers continue to work seven days a week to conserve water, support boaters, fix leaks, and bring forward work to minimise disruption during the cooler months. While there’s lots of work going on across the network this week we’re focusing on the work of our West Midlands team. The West Midlands team has been busy over the past few weeks, making the most of low water levels and closures to get several big jobs done. Weston Lock on the Trent & Mersey Canal (pictured below) was high on the priority list. Water loss through this lock was causing the canal to struggle and this temporary repair, completed on 21st August, should significantly improve the situation.
Broken paddles at Lapworth Lock 2 on the North Stratford Canal were fixed in a 24 hours turnaround, with the canal reopening for navigation by lunchtime the following day. A broken lock beam at Lock 14 on the South Stratford Canal will see a lot of attention, with a mix of gate and cill repairs planned for locks 23, 24, 29, 31, 35, 37, 37, 41 and 51. This is much-needed work, and the 210 years old canal will greatly benefit from the repairs.
A gate has been made for Lock 7 on the Walsall Canal, and we’re bringing the work forward and fitting it soon. We’re also repairing two more broken beams, one in Walsall and one in Hillmorton, and will be fixing the cill at Hatton’s Lock 34 on the Grand Union Canal.
Repair the damage
Staffordshire & Worcester Canal had closed navigation. We were prepared with a beam brace to repair the damage, and the lock is now back open. We’ve reopened Bottom Barge Lock at Stourport Basin after fixing the damage to the bottom end cill, which was preventing the lock from filling. On the Grand Union Canal, we relined the Stockton Lock 5 to conserve water, while on the Tame Valley Canal Perry Barr locks 1, 2 and 3 were checked over to stop water loss and maintain water levels above the locks.We've reinforced and repaired part of the Rudyard Feeder where flow has been heavily constrained and managed to increase the amount of water that can pass down it to the Caldon Canal.
On the Llangollen Canal (which is looked after by our West Midlands team), we’ve fixed the leaking culvert at Lower Frankton. We managed to arrange a repair that avoided the need for an extensive closure and only required restricted passages past the site,so hire boats and other craft could still use this stretch of navigation.In the coming weeks, we’ve planned a full programme of work. Alongside this, we’re still dealing with jobs as they come in, giving a quick turn around on our reactive work.
See a lot of attention
The South Stratford Canal will see a lot of attention, with a mix of gate and cill repairs planned for locks 23, 24, 29, 31, 35, 37, 37, 41 and 51. This is much-needed work, and the 210 years old canal will greatly benefit from the repairs. A gate has been made for Lock 7 on the Walsall Canal, and we’re bringing the work forward and fitting it soon. We’re also repairing two more broken beams, one in Walsall and one in Hillmorton, and will be fixing the cill at Hatton’s Lock 34 on the Grand Union Canal.
We know that closures and restrictions are frustrating. Thank you to everyone who is helping us save water, and for your patience during these challenging times.