Navigation Closure: Leeds & Liverpool Canal: Lock Flights, Wigan to Leeds (Posted 28.08.25)

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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: 12 September 2025

Location

Closest waterway: Leeds & Liverpool Canal
Starts at: Lock 85, Lock 21
Ends at: Lock 2, Office Lock

Descriptions

Update 28 August 2025, 3:30pm

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 12 September 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.