Navigation Closure Update
Marple & Bosley Lock Flights
Details
Type: Navigation Closure
Waterway(s): Peak Forest Canal, Macclesfield Canal
From: 4 July 2025, 8:30am
To: On-going
Region: North West
Reason: Low Water Levels
Subject to review on: 17 October 2025
Locations
Location 1
Closest waterway: Macclesfield Canal
Starts at: Bosley Lock 1
Ends at: Bosley Lock 12
Location 2
Closest waterway: Peak Forest Canal
Starts at: Lock 1
Ends at: Lock 16
Descriptions
Update 11 September 2025, 3:25pm
Whilst we have had some rain, the warm, dry weather continues and there has been no improvement in water levels. Any rain that has fallen is quickly absorbed into the already dry landscape, meaning there’s been little benefit to the canals or reservoirs.
Consequently, the Marple & Bosley Lock Flights will need to remain closed along the Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals.
Subsequently, due to the low waters along the Macclesfield Canal, we have been unable to access Lock 4 on the Bosley Flight by boat to carry out the required repairs to the cill. We have now sought alternative arrangements and the repairs will start week commencing Monday 13 October. We are hopeful that at the end of October we will be in a position to offer a window of passage following these repairs to allow customers to exit off the Macclesfield Canal. This will remain subject to sufficient rainfall.
Our priority remains to reopen these canals to full navigation as soon as possible. Thank you for your support in reducing water use across our network and for reporting leaks or concerns via 0303 040 4040 or our Contact Us page.
Original 25 June 2025, 2:07pm
This year, we’ve experienced one of the driest springs on record, consequently water availability across the region is significantly lower than in previous years. Although we are pleased the repairs to the breach at Bosley and the leaks at Bollington are completed, the prolonged dry conditions and the ongoing vital works at Toddbrook reservoir mean we must act now to preserve water resources and implement restrictions on opening hours to give the canal a greater probability of remaining open.
To help make the available water last as long as possible, we will be restricting the use of the lock flights starting Friday, 4 July 2025. Volunteer lock keepers will be on hand to assist with passage and to help conserve water.
From Friday, 4 July 2025, the following operating times will apply:
Bosley Lock Flight – open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays
- Open from 8:30am to allow passage through the flight.
Last boat entry to the flight will be at 1pm, and all boats must have exited the flight by 4pm.
Marple Lock Flight – open Saturday only
- Open from 8:30am to allow passage through the flight.
Last boat entry to the flight will be at 12 noon, and all boats must have exited the flight by 4pm.
We apologise for the inconvenience and disruption this may cause to your boating plans. By implementing these operating times, we hope it will allow boaters to plan your journeys knowing what to expect over the summer months as our teams continue to work hard to conserve water at every opportunity.
You can help us conserve water by ensuring paddles are fully closed once you have passed through a lock. situations will continue to monitor our reservoir holdings throughout the season and where possible, amend the operating times should the situation improve. Please note, these operating times will remain under review and could be subject to change.
Navigation Closure Update
Marple & Bosley Lock Flights
Details
Type: Navigation Closure
Waterway(s): Peak Forest Canal, Macclesfield Canal
From: 4 July 2025, 8:30am
To: On-going
Region: North West
Reason: Low Water Levels
Subject to review on: 17 October 2025
Locations
Location 1
Closest waterway: Macclesfield Canal
Starts at: Bosley Lock 1
Ends at: Bosley Lock 12
Location 2
Closest waterway: Peak Forest Canal
Starts at: Lock 1
Ends at: Lock 16
Descriptions
Update 11 September 2025, 3:25pm
Whilst we have had some rain, the warm, dry weather continues and there has been no improvement in water levels. Any rain that has fallen is quickly absorbed into the already dry landscape, meaning there’s been little benefit to the canals or reservoirs.
Consequently, the Marple & Bosley Lock Flights will need to remain closed along the Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals.
Subsequently, due to the low waters along the Macclesfield Canal, we have been unable to access Lock 4 on the Bosley Flight by boat to carry out the required repairs to the cill. We have now sought alternative arrangements and the repairs will start week commencing Monday 13 October. We are hopeful that at the end of October we will be in a position to offer a window of passage following these repairs to allow customers to exit off the Macclesfield Canal. This will remain subject to sufficient rainfall.
Our priority remains to reopen these canals to full navigation as soon as possible. Thank you for your support in reducing water use across our network and for reporting leaks or concerns via 0303 040 4040 or our Contact Us page.
Original 25 June 2025, 2:07pm
This year, we’ve experienced one of the driest springs on record, consequently water availability across the region is significantly lower than in previous years. Although we are pleased the repairs to the breach at Bosley and the leaks at Bollington are completed, the prolonged dry conditions and the ongoing vital works at Toddbrook reservoir mean we must act now to preserve water resources and implement restrictions on opening hours to give the canal a greater probability of remaining open.
To help make the available water last as long as possible, we will be restricting the use of the lock flights starting Friday, 4 July 2025. Volunteer lock keepers will be on hand to assist with passage and to help conserve water.
From Friday, 4 July 2025, the following operating times will apply:
Bosley Lock Flight – open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays
- Open from 8:30am to allow passage through the flight.
Last boat entry to the flight will be at 1pm, and all boats must have exited the flight by 4pm.
Marple Lock Flight – open Saturday only
- Open from 8:30am to allow passage through the flight.
Last boat entry to the flight will be at 12 noon, and all boats must have exited the flight by 4pm.
We apologise for the inconvenience and disruption this may cause to your boating plans. By implementing these operating times, we hope it will allow boaters to plan your journeys knowing what to expect over the summer months as our teams continue to work hard to conserve water at every opportunity.
You can help us conserve water by ensuring paddles are fully closed once you have passed through a lock. situations will continue to monitor our reservoir holdings throughout the season and where possible, amend the operating times should the situation improve. Please note, these operating times will remain under review and could be subject to change.
