Water shortage crisis closes more canals

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal will have lock flights closed from July 18th and the Rochdale Canal and Kennet and Avon Navigation currently have summit closures waiting for water levels to recover. There are low water concerns on the Ashby and Coventry Canals and other parts of the system. All this in addition to the Macclesfield and Peak Forest canals where locks remain closed for an unspecified duration.

gargrave1

Image of Gargrave lock on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal – thanks to keith hannant from Pixabay

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal has been effectively split into nine sections including the Leigh branch with the closure of most lock flights from Monday 18th July until further notice. On the Lancashire side closures affect Poolstock Locks 1 & 2 (Leigh Branch), Wigan Lock Flight (86 to 65), Johnsons Hillock Lock Flight (64 to 58), Blackburn Lock Flight (57 to 52), Barrowford Lock Flight (51 to 45), Greenberfield Lock Flight (44 to 42). On the Yorkshire side of the summit closures affect Bank Newton Locks (41 to 36) and Gargrave (Holme Bridge Lock 30). Currently the section from Gargrave through Skipton to Leeds is not affected by the closures.

CRT say to conserve as much water as possible the lock flights will be padlocked closed and secured against operation with the gates ‘ashed up’ to reduce leakage. Implementing these closures now means that we can conserve water, allowing the reservoirs to start to refill should we have significant rainfall. Whilst these closures will prevent use of the lock flights, cruising between the locks will remain available.

To enable boat movements to Ribble Link, Wigan Dry Dock, Liverpool Canal Link and Salthouse Dock, CRT plan to temporarily open Poolstock Locks 1 & 2 on the Leigh Branch and Lock 86 on the Leeds & Liverpool canal 2 days a week, for pre-arranged bookings only, on Mondays, 10am and 2pm and Thursdays, 10am and 2pm. Bookings can be made online , or by calling 0303 040 4040.

However CRT warn: Ribble Link, Wigan Dry Dock, Liverpool Canal Link and Salthouse Dock bookings cannot be changed to accommodate this closure, unless there is availability to do so. We urge customers to plan their journeys effectively with this in mind. If you have a current booking in place and would like to discuss or cancel your booking, please call our North West Customer Support Team on 0303 040 4040, or alternatively by accessing your online account.

On the Rochdale Canal, Lock 36 to Lock 45, the Summit Flight is only open from 8am till 10am daily, to allow passage to waiting boats, navigation will then close to allow the Summit to replenish. CRT say they are now working on a system of operation for the lock flight to ensure the limited water supply is effectively managed to be able to keep navigation open, albeit with restriction.

The Kennet and Avon Summit level between lock 54, Cadley Lock and Lock 55, Crofton Top Lock has been closed because of a pump failure in the Caen Hill pumping main. After a repair and another failure it is not yet known how long it will take for the levels to recover and the pound to be reopened. Also CRT have announced that locks 10 – 21 will be only be open between 10 am and 4 pm from July 11th.

Information from CRT Navigation Closure Notices to 5/7/2022 and 7/7/2022

All materials and images © Canal Junction Ltd. Dalton House, 35 Chester St, Wrexham LL13 8AH. No unauthorised reproduction.

Facebook | Twitter

About | Terms | Privacy| Refunds & Returns| Sitemap | Contact Us

With over 800 pages, this website uses cookies to record visitor behaviour using Google Analytics. More information on Privacy Page. Page last updated: 07/07/2022.