Lock wall failure closes another canal

A VOID appearing in the wall of Lock 20 on the 'Wolverhampton 21' has caused the entire flight to be closed.

Our contributor Orph Mable sent up Chris to examine the stoppage, and tells us that a gap between the wall and the ground was a couple of inches with the void going all the way down. The staff at the lock confirmed that they expect a lengthy closure as the wall will require completely taking down and rebuilding.

Diversion route

This is a terrible inconvenience to boaters and hire companies, with Napton Narrowboats having at least one boat above the locks needing to get back to Autherley Junction. However, unlike the Aylesbury closure there is a diversion route via Netherton and the Delph Flight, so no boats will be trapped.

Notwithstanding the statement from Canal & River Trust that the failure of the lock wall on the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal was a 'one off', within months another lock wall is collapsing.