| Navigation Restriction Update Marple & Bosley Lock Flights Details Type: Navigation Restriction 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: 22 August 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 16 July 2025, 3:19pm Over the last few weeks, despite some rainfall the reservoirs that supply the Macclesfield and Peak Forest canals have not seen any significant refilling. Consequently, and unfortunately, we now need to suspend navigation through the Marple & Bosley lock flights from Monday 11 August 2025. We anticipate that the canals will remain closed for several weeks, but this is entirely weather dependent. Mooring restrictions will be suspended at the locations listed below to allow those waiting for the canals to re-open, to moor during the closure. Mooring Locations where restrictions will be relaxed are: Macclesfield Canal – Below lock 12 Bosley Moorings Macclesfield Canal – Above Lock 1 Between Bridges 53 & 54 Macclesfield Canal – Between Bridges 1 – 3 Marple Moorings Peak Forest Canal – Below Lock 1 to Marple Aqueduct To conserve as much water as possible, the lock flights will be padlocked closed and secured against operation and the gates will be ‘ashed up’ to reduce leakage. We apologise for the inconvenience and disruption this may cause to your boating plans. By implementing this closure, we hope it will allow our customers 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. In the meantime, the restricted operating times will continue, however following customer feedback, the days of operation have changed. From Monday 21 July up until Sunday 10 August, the following operating times and days will apply: Bosley Lock Flight – open Tuesdays, Fridays 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 Thursdays 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. Please refer to the notice issued on 25 June for the current operating times and days. You can help us conserve water by ensuring paddles are fully closed once you have passed through a lock. We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide fortnightly updates, or sooner if conditions change. We understand that this continues to be disappointing news, and our priority is to reopen these canals to full navigation 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. 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. Information You can view this notice and its map online here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/0197a72a-563d-7a42-b70e-946535d69c05 You can find all notices at the url below: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices |