Restricted Opening on Ashton Canal

There will be restricted opening times on the Ashton Canal this week due to evening stoppages as work is carried out to connect the marina arm at New Islington to the main canal line.

From Tuesday 28th June to Friday 1st July, the canal between Locks 2 and 3 in Ancoats will be de-watered between 4.00 pm and 1.00 am.

The canal will be open and available for use during the hours 1.00 am to 4.00 pm.

There is no suitable mooring above the stoppage area, so boaters heading from Ashton to Manchester (such as those doing the Cheshire Ring anti-clockwise) should not set off from Ashton after 12.00 noon on those days but should moor up at Portland Basin.

Update 28th June:
To complicate matters further today, there is an emergency stoppage at Lock 16 at the top of the Clayton flight.

The water is very low between pounds 16 & 17 due to a paddle being overwound. The paddle has come out of its frame and it needs replacing and the paddle rod needs straightening.

British Waterways will be on site at 10.00 am fitting stop planks and the maintenance team will be repairing the paddle. The canal will be re-open at 2.00 pm.
Boaters are asked to wait below Lock 16 or above Lock 17 and await for instructions from BW staff.

Update 28th June:
Repairs at Lock 16 have been completed and the navigation re-opened at 12.30 pm.


The location of this week's evening closure between Locks 2 and 3, Ashton Canal.