THE RECENT HEAVY RAINFALL is providing the water to bring the closed navigations back into use.
Many waterways were affected by the drought over the past months, with Canal & River staff working hard to keep those open that they could, Keith Gudgin reports.
The complete lack of any rain proving it to be a most difficult task.
But now it is getting back to normal with waterways getting the water they require and being re-opened, Keith Gudgin reports.
Old Main Line
The Smethwick Locks on the Old Main Line are now open to navigation.
The locks were closed due to low water levels, with the improvement now allowing the flight to be back in use.
Also on the Old Main Line the Wolverhampton Flight, following a review of the current water resource situation, will reopen to navigation from Saturday 12th September.
Montgomery Canal
It was in July that the Welshpool Lock on the Montgomery Canal was closed through lack of water.
Owing to the rainfall the canal has returned to operational levels, with Welshpool Lock being unlocked and again open to navigation.
Erewash Canal
The Erewash Canal has greatly suffered through the drought, it being closed and reopened time after time due to low water levels.
But we are now informed that the water levels have now replenished along the Erewash Canal and navigation is open.