Canals reopen as Autumn rain brings some water level recovery

Autumn rainfall continues to bring water level improvements in some reservoirs and canals enabling gradual reopenings. However many reservoir levels remain very low and full recovery could take many months. CRT plans short opening ‘windows’ on some still closed canals for boaters to return to home moorings or access essential services before winter. 

Updated November 6th. Changes since September 1st are in italics.

In the North of England the Pocklington Canal now open booked passage call 03030 404040. The Ripon Canal has now reopened. On the River Ouse (Yorkshire) downstream of Linton lock there are Low Water Levels.

On the Leeds & Liverpool Canal All sections are now reopened with Restricted opening at Bank Newton, Gargrave, Bingley 5 & 3 Rise, Kirkstall Forge and Newlay locks. The Rochdale Canal locks 34 to 92 have reopened. The Huddersfield Narrow Canal between between locks 1W and 22W has been reopened. The remainder of the canal from L1E to L22W will remain closed as water levels in the reservoirs that feed the canal have shown little increase in levels. The Lancaster Canal Glasson Branch has now reopened.  On the Chesterfield Canal Kilton Lock (Worksop Manton Lock) & Bracebridge Lock require Assisted Passage. On the River Trent Stoke Lock 4, Hazelford Lock 12 and Cromwell Lock 15 are still subject to Low water levels.

On North West canals the Trent & Mersey Canal Locks 41 to 75 have reopened. Lock 19 Shade House Lock to Lock 13 Bagnall Lock have reopened. Aston Lock 26 Restricted passage. Harecastle Tunnel is now Restricted passage. The Caldon Canal has reopened from Etruria to Froghall Basin. The Ashton Canal has been reopened. The Macclesfield Canal Bosley Lock Flight will reopen on 31 October, once works to Lock 4 are complete. The Peak Forest Canal Marple Lock Flight is now reopened. Stop planks have been removed from the Macclesfield Canal between Bridge 44 and Bosley Top Lock and the Peak Forest Canal between Bridge 28 (New Mills area) and Bridge 38 (Whaley Bridge).

In the Midlands the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal Brades, Spon Lane, Smethwick, and Aston lock flights remain closed. On the Coventry Canal Glascote Lock 13 to Fradley Swing Bridge has now reopened, Glascote Lock 12 (Top Lock) to 13 (Bottom Lock) and Atherstone Lock 1 through to Lock 11 Restricted opening to allow boaters to move to their home moorings or to essential services. On the BCN the Old Main Line Wolverhampton Lock Flight, Smethwick Locks and the Rushall Canal Lock Flight have been reopened. The Walsall Canal Ryders Green Lock Flight has Restricted passage. On the Worcester & Birmingham Canal the Tardebigge Lock Flight is now reopened. The South Stratford Canal has now reopened.

On the River Severn Gloucester Lock is now open with Restricted passage.

On the Southern waterways on the Grand Union Canal mainline the Ten Mile Pound between Bordesley Junction and Knowle Locks has now reopened. Hatton Locks are now open without restrictions. Braunston Locks 1 to 6, Buckby Locks 7 to 13, Stoke Bruerne Locks 14 to 20 restrictions removed. Calcutt Lock 1 (Top Lock) through to Lock 23 (Radford Bottom Lock),  Restricted opening until November 5th to allow boaters to move to their home moorings or to essential services.  On the Grand Union Leicester Line locks from Foxton Lock Flight to Kings Lock 38 navigation closed. The Northampton Arm remains closed. The Aylesbury Arm Lock 1 to Aylesbury Arm Basin is still closed. The Welford Arm, from Welford Lock 1, will be closed from 7th November.

The Oxford Canal lock closures from Claydon Top Lock 17 to Aynho Weir Lock 33 closure reinstated. Braunston Junction has Low Water Levels. 

On the Lee Navigation Tottenham Lock has now fully reopened. River Stort Lock 14 Brick Lock to Lock 15 Lower Lock, Low water levels.

Information is summarised from the Notices and Stoppages section of the Canal and River Trust website at https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices.