Water Shortage Affecting Leeds and Liverpool

The prolonged dry spell that the North West has been experiencing has led to a reduction in the opening hours of many locks on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

In order to help to preserve the limited water resources on the canal, the following modified restrictions will take effect from today, 28th June:

On the Wigan lock flight, here will be ONE supervised passage on Saturday, Sunday and Monday starting at 10.00 am PROMPT between Locks 65 (Wigan Top Lock) & Lock 85 (above junction with Leigh Branch). Any boats arriving after this time will have to wait until 10.00 am the following day for the next available passage.

The locks between Henhurst Lock (86) and Ell Meadow Lock (89) will be open to navigation, in each direction, from 9.00 am and with the last entry at 4.00 pm.

Poolstock Locks 1 & 2 on the Leigh Branch will be open to navigation, in each direction, from 9.00 am and with the last entry at 4.00 pm.

Passage between Dean Lock (90) and Appley Lock (91) will be open to navigation, in each direction, from 9.00 am and with the last entry at 4.00 pm.

Johnson's Hillock Locks (58-64), Blackburn Locks (52-57), Barrowford Locks (45-51), Bank Newton and Gargrave Locks (30-41) will be open to navigation, in each direction, from 10.00 am and with the last entry at 12.00 noon. They will open again at 2.00 pm with the last entry at 4.00 pm.

Greenberfield Locks (42-44) will be open to navigation, in each direction, from 9.00 am and with the last entry at 5.00 pm.

Times may be subject to change due to local water variations. British Waterways will not guarantee passage if water levels are not sufficient to permit navigation.

Enquiries about these restrictions should be made to BW on 01942 405700.

Between Bingley and Leeds, the normal seasonal opening hours still apply, namely:

Bingley Five Rise (25-29), Bingley Three Rise (22-24), Field Three Rise (16-18) - first passage 8.15 am, last passage 4.00 pm. (Local school holidays, last passage 5.00 pm.)

Newlay Locks to Spring Garden Lock (6-13) - first passage 8.15 am, last passage 3.00 pm.

Any boats arriving outside these times will have to wait until the next operating window for the next available passage .