Navigation Closure Completed

Bingley 3 & 5 Rise – Closed

consolidated in one notice https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/0196ab11-3e87-7063-8add-2861b63f6abc

Details

Type: Navigation Closure
Waterway(s): Leeds & Liverpool Canal
From: 25 June 2025, 2:42pm
To: 19 August 2025, 11am inclusive
Region: Yorkshire and North East
Reason: Low Water Levels
Subject to review on: 2 July 2025

Location

Closest waterway: Leeds & Liverpool Canal
Starts at: Lock 29, Bingley 5 Rise Top Lock
Ends at: Lock 22, Bingley 3 Rise Bottom Lock

Description

Original 25 June 2025, 2:45pm

Due to low water levels and the continuation of this dry weather Bingley 5 Rise and Bingley 3 Rise have not received enough water for us to open Thursday of this week as planned.   The lock flights will remain closed, and we will keep this situation under review and provide an update on or before Wednesday 2nd July.   We understand this is disappointing news, and our priority is to reopen the lock flights as soon as possible. We thank you for your support in reducing water use across our network and reporting leaks or concerns via 0303 040 4040 or our Contact Us page.

Navigation Closure

lock 1

Details

Type: Navigation Closure
Waterway(s): Rufford Branch (L&L Canal)
From: 18 August 2025, 10am
To: On-going
Region: North West
Reason: Repair
Subject to review on: 20 August 2025

Location

Closest waterway: Rufford Branch (L&L Canal)
Starts at: Lock 1, Top Lock Swing Bridge
Ends at: Lock 1, Top Lock Swing Bridge

Description

Original 18 August 2025, 3:53pm

Navigation is currently closed at Lock 1 on the Rufford branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal due to both paddles have failed and currently cannot be safely operated.

    Our specialist teams are in the process in developing a method of repair.  

  An update will be provided Wednesday 20 August. 

Navigation Closure Update

Warehouse Swingbridge – Vehicle collision – currently closed whilst repairs are carried out

Details

Type: Navigation Closure
Waterway(s): Leeds & Liverpool Canal
From: 15 August 2025, 3:48pm
To: On-going
Region: Yorkshire and North East
Reason: Vehicle Incident
Subject to review on: 19 August 2025

Location

Closest waterway: Leeds & Liverpool Canal
Starts at: Bridge 187, Warehouse Swing Bridge
Ends at: Bridge 187, Warehouse Swing Bridge

Descriptions

Update 18 August 2025, 9:45am

Following a vehicle collision with the Warehouse Swing Bridge on Friday, the bridge is currently closed to boat traffic. Our teams are still on site assessing the damage to the pedestal and other parts of the bridge. Necessary repairs and safety checks will be carried out. An updated notice will be issued on Tuesday, 19th August, with further information

Original 15 August 2025, 3:57pm

Due to a vehicle colliding into the Warehouse Swing bridge earlier on this afternoon, it is currently closed to boat traffic. Our teams are attending to the site to assess the damage that has been caused to the pedestal and other elements of the swingbridge. Repairs will need to be carried out where necessary and safety checks to the bridge carried out. We will update the notice on Monday 18th August with further updates on the bridge

Customer Service Facility Completed

Bosley Service Facility

Bosley Service Facilities on the Macclesfield Canal are now back open.

Details

Type: Customer Service Facility
Waterway(s): Macclesfield Canal
From: 15 August 2025, 10am
To: 15 August 2025, 4:03pm inclusive
Region: North West
Reason: Repair
Subject to review on: 18 August 2025

Location

Closest waterway: Macclesfield Canal
Starts at: Bosley Services
Ends at: Bosley Services

Description

Original 15 August 2025, 11:58am

Due to blocked drains, the toilets, Elsan point, and pump-out facilities at Bosley Customer Services are currently out of order.

Our team has arranged for contractors to attend today to remove the blockage.   Our priority is to restore these services in time for the weekend.

We will provide a further update on or before Monday, 18 August.

Navigation Closure

Warehouse Swingbridge – Vehicle collision – currently closed whilst repairs are carried out

Details

Type: Navigation Closure
Waterway(s): Leeds & Liverpool Canal
From: 15 August 2025, 3:48pm
To: On-going
Region: Yorkshire and North East
Reason: Vehicle Incident
Subject to review on: 18 August 2025

Location

Closest waterway: Leeds & Liverpool Canal
Starts at: Bridge 187, Warehouse Swing Bridge
Ends at: Bridge 187, Warehouse Swing Bridge

Description

Original 15 August 2025, 3:57pm

Due to a vehicle colliding into the Warehouse Swing bridge earlier on this afternoon, it is currently closed to boat traffic. Our teams are attending to the site to assess the damage that has been caused to the pedestal and other elements of the swingbridge. Repairs will need to be carried out where necessary and safety checks to the bridge carried out. We will update the notice on Monday 18th August with further updates on the bridge.

Details

Type: Navigation Closure
Waterway(s): Leeds & Liverpool Canal
From: 14 August 2025, 4:47pm
To: On-going
Region: Yorkshire and North East
Reason: Low Water Levels
Subject to review on: 18 August 2025

Location

Closest waterway: Leeds & Liverpool Canal
Starts at: Lock 1, River Lock
Ends at: Lock 1, River Lock

Description

Original 14 August 2025, 4:53pm

Due to low water levels we need to close river lock to allow it to recover.

We will update the notice on Monday with further information when water levels should have recovered.

Navigation Closure Update Lock Flights, Wigan to Leeds Details Type: Navigation Closure Waterway(s): Leeds & Liverpool Canal From: 22 May 2025, 5pm To: On-going Region: North West Reason: Low Water Levels Subject to review on: 29 August 2025 Location Closest waterway: Leeds & Liverpool Canal Starts at: Lock 85, Lock 21 Ends at: Lock 2, Office Lock Descriptions Update 14 August 2025, 3:58pm As the warm, dry weather with very little rainfall continues, 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 lock closures along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal will need to remain in place. We continue to monitor the situation daily and will share our next update on or before Friday 29 August 2025, or sooner if anything changes. Our priority is to reopen the lock flights as soon as rainfall replenishes the reservoirs to safe operating levels. If we do receive enough rainfall to allow for safe navigation, restrictions will be lifted immediately. However, this is likely to require steady, prolonged rainfall over several weeks, rather than a single heavy downpour. If you spot any leaks or have concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0303 040 4040 or via our Contact Us page. Original 7 May 2025, 3:25pm We are currently experiencing the driest three-month period in over 90 years. The cumulative deficit in rainfall in 2025 so far is comparable to several historical droughts such as 1976, 1995 and 2003. Reservoirs across the country are reported to be 10% lower than usual. We’re also part-way through a programme of major reservoir improvements, as required by legislation, so we were not able to start this season with complete holdings for several reservoirs. These factors are placing considerable pressure on the water situation affecting the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. These are exceptional circumstances, and we want to explain what this means for our boating customers, what we are doing in response, and how we can work together to minimise the impact. Despite our best efforts to reduce water loss and manage the system carefully, water levels in our feeder reservoirs are continuing to fall as a result of canal water demands. We are doing everything operationally possible to conserve what water we have. This includes minimising flows where appropriate, reviewing options for filling leaks and managing known losses, coordinating lock operations to reduce wastage and exploring operational restrictions to stretch remaining resources. Notwithstanding our efforts, the lack of rainfall means that water supplies are now significantly below Long-Term Average and lower than the same time in the 2010, 2018 and 2022 droughts. Without significant and sustained rainfall, we face the reality of implementing closures to some sections of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to navigation until we have sufficient rainfall. At present, we anticipate that the locks will need to close by Tuesday 27 May, and if the situation worsens significantly, closures may have to come into effect as early as Tuesday 20 May. In addition to this, we are preparing for the possibility of short-notice temporary closures. These would be introduced only when absolutely necessary to give the canal a chance to recover water levels in specific sections. Additionally, we must reduce opening hours at certain locks as follows: From Tuesday 13 May, Bingley 5 Rise, Bingley 3 Rise, Kirkstall Forge and Newlay Locks will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and open Thursday through Monday aligning with reduced operating hours to conserve water. From Tuesday 27 May the following lock flights will also be closed: Wigan Lock Flight (85 to 65) Blackburn Lock Flight (57 to 52) Johnsons Hillock Lock Flight (64 to 58) Barrowford Lock Flight (51 to 45) Greenberfield Lock Flight (44 to 42) Bank Newton Locks (41 to 36) Gargrave (Holme Bridge Lock 30) If your boat is currently in an area likely to be affected, we strongly recommend using the time before any closure is implemented to relocate to a place where you will continue to have access to customer services, facilities, and support. We understand how important it is to have time to plan, especially for those cruising or running businesses on the canal. We truly appreciate the circumstances are disappointing and disruptive, particularly for boaters with upcoming trips. That’s why we are committing to giving at least two weeks’ notice ahead of any full closure, so you have time to adjust your plans or move to alternative locations where needed. What we are doing? If closures are implemented, we will take additional steps to conserve as much water as possible. During this period affected lock flights will be secured against operation. The gates will be ‘ashed up’ (a traditional method of sealing gates) to reduce leakage and reduce water loss through the lock structures. Although the use of the lock flights will be suspended, cruising between the locks will remain possible where water levels permit, so local movement may still be feasible for many boaters. This is not a decision we’re making lightly. A great deal of work is underway to prepare for both the short and long term. A dedicated Operational Water Resource Commander has been appointed to lead our response to the drought and coordinate our teams. We are working closely with partners to manage every aspect of the situation. We are monitoring the canal and reservoirs daily, assessing levels and evaluating the best operational decisions to sustain navigation where it is safe and possible. We are also using this time to carry out works that improve the canal’s resilience including continuing to inspect our infrastructure and repair leaks. Future updates will contain more detail on how we will make use of any closed time to carry out leak prevention works. What you can do to help in the short period before closure? Your cooperation during this time is essential and deeply appreciated. Here are some things you can do to help reduce strain on the system: Share locks where possible and make the best use of the water available. Make sure paddles are fully closed once you’ve passed through a lock. Aim for minimal contact when navigating through locks by ensuring gates are fully open as you pass through. Pushing gates open using a boat can damage the gate lining, increasing its leakage. If you spot a leak or any suspicious activities please call us on 0303 040 4040 or emailing via contact-us For the current lock opening times until they closed can be found on our dedicated page: Leeds & Liverpool Canal Boating Information When will the canal reopen? This depends on rainfall, so we are unable to predict this. Certain reservoirs respond very quickly to rainfall, so prolonged wet weather in the right place can make a big difference. We are committed to reopening the canal as soon as we can. Next update Our next scheduled update will be on Friday 16 May, when we will provide a clearer picture of the situation and confirm whether closures will be necessary. Information You can view this notice and its map online here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/0196ab11-3e87-7063-8add-2861b63f6abc You can find all notices at the url below: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices

As you will be aware, we’ve been experiencing drought and prolonged dry weather across the country, with the current water shortfall situation in England now defined as a ‘nationally significant incident’.  Many of the reservoirs that supply our canals are now at extremely low levels

Our team is working to manage the situation as responsibly and carefully as possible. With little prospect of substantial rain in the short to medium forecast, we’re now putting contingency plans into action to prioritise boater safety and ensure access to essential facilities as we continue to make the most efficient use of the water we have remaining.

We may soon have to introduce temporary navigation closures on more stretches of the network and install stop planks to conserve water in key areas where boats can remain safely moored. 

We understand how frustrating navigation restrictions are and want to reassure you that this is not a decision that’s taken lightly. However, it’s a necessary step to protect the long-term sustainability of the network and continue supporting boaters in these areas.

Keep informed
We will endeavour to contact directly all boaters in the affected areas using our most recent boat sighting data and via our notices system.

The current situation with water can change very quickly so we are asking all boaters to ensure that the contact details on your web licensing account are correct and also to sign up to receive notifications for the canal you are on.

Be prepared
To help you prepare, we strongly encourage all boaters to start making plans now. This includes:

• Emptying waste tanks
• Filling up water and fuel tanks
• Stocking up on essential supplies
• Considering relocating your boat to areas closer to services, or if you have a home mooring, return your boat to your marina/mooring

Helping vulnerable boaters
Where we can, we will try to help support boaters who are stranded, prioritising those who are vulnerable and most in need. If you consider yourself to be a vulnerable boater who may need support, please email welfare.mailbox@canalrivertrust.org.uk or call 0303 040 4040 so that we know who may need additional support.

Continuous cruising
If you are a ‘continuous cruiser’ and are in an area that is affected by closures or restrictions, please be assured, any period of reduced movement will not impact your licensing options in future. We will also pause 14-day reminders in these areas to accommodate these challenging conditions. Please moor considerately and share space as best as possible so that others can access facilities.

Look out for further updates
We want to give everyone as much time as possible to make informed decisions and adjust plans before any further navigation closures take place and will keep you updated with the latest news, guidance, and information through our notices and other channels over the coming weeks.  Please keep an eye out for further announcements.

Thank you for your ongoing patience, understanding, and support during these challenging times as we continue to do everything we can to protect the canals and support our boating community

Navigation Closure Update Bugsworth Basin Details Type: Navigation Closure Waterway(s): Bugsworth Arm (Peak Forest Canal) From: 1 August 2025, 7am To: On-going Region: North West Reason: Low Water Levels Subject to review on: 29 August 2025 Location Closest waterway: Bugsworth Arm (Peak Forest Canal) Starts at: Bridge 56 Ends at: Bridge 61, Chinley Road Bridge Descriptions Update 14 August 2025, 11am The Bugsworth Basin remains closed to help us manage the remaining supplies to keep the Peak Forest Canal in water and protect the canal network, its infrastructure, and the surrounding ecology. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide fortnightly updates, or sooner if conditions change. Our priority remains to reopen these canals to full navigation as soon as possible. Thank you for your continued support in reducing water use across our network and for reporting leaks or concerns via 0303 040 4040 or our Contact Us page. Original 30 July 2025, 11:09am We will be closing the Bugsworth Basin on the morning of Friday 1 August to help us manage the remaining supplies to keep the Peak Forest Canal in water and protect the canal network, its infrastructure, and the surrounding ecology. All boats need to vacate the basin by Thursday evening; our teams will be installing stop planks at the basin entrance on Friday morning. Due to falling water levels, boats will not be able to remain moored within the basin as we cannot ensure there will be sufficient water levels during this closure, and we do not know how long this closure will last. We understand this will be disappointing and disruptive to your boating plans, and we assure you that this decision has not been taken lightly. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide fortnightly updates, or sooner if conditions change. We understand this is disappointing news, and 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. Information You can view this notice and its map online here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/01985acb-5f19-7a76-8358-58648307faf9 You can find all notices at the url below: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices

Type: Navigation Closure
Waterway(s): Bugsworth Arm (Peak Forest Canal)
From: 1 August 2025, 7am
To: On-going
Region: North West
Reason: Low Water Levels
Subject to review on: 15 August 2025

Location

Closest waterway: Bugsworth Arm (Peak Forest Canal)
Starts at: Bridge 56
Ends at: Bridge 61, Chinley Road Bridge

Description

Original 30 July 2025, 11:09am

We will be closing the Bugsworth Basin on the morning of Friday 1 August to help us manage the remaining supplies to keep the Peak Forest Canal in water and protect the canal network, its infrastructure, and the surrounding ecology.

All boats need to vacate the basin by Thursday evening; our teams will be installing stop planks at the basin entrance on Friday morning.

Due to falling water levels, boats will not be able to remain moored within the basin as we cannot ensure there will be sufficient water levels during this closure, and we do not know how long this closure will last. We understand this will be disappointing and disruptive to your boating plans, and we assure you that this decision has not been taken lightly.

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide fortnightly updates, or sooner if conditions change. We understand this is disappointing news, and 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.