'Boat Jam' at Tunnel End

There was a 'boat jam' at Tunnel End yesterday after a record 12 boats made the passage through Standedge Tunnel from Diggle.

The boats were taking part in the 'Pennine Explorer Cruise' organised by the Huddersfield Canal Society.

The fleet will be stopping at Slaithwaite tonight and Milnsbridge the following night.
Read more on the Huddersfield Canal Society website.

Restricted times at Wigan

Boaters passing through Wigan on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal will be affected by new restrictions on lock opening times.

From Wednesday 7th June, in order to conserve water, the following locks will be restricted:
- Lock 65 (top of Wigan fligh)
- Lock 85 (bottom of Wigan flight)
- Lock 1 (Poolstock, Leigh Branch)

These locks will be padlocked and only open at these times:
- 8.00 - 9.00 am daily
- 2.00 - 3.00 pm daily

Boaters travelling down the Wigan flight should enter Lock 65 between 8.00 - 9.00 am and pass through Lock 85 (and Poolstock, if continuing towards Leigh) between 2.00 - 3.00 pm.

Boaters travelling up the Wigan flight should enter Poolstock locks (if coming from Leigh) and Lock 85 between 8.00 - 9.00 am and pass through Lock 65 between 2.00 - 3.00 pm.

Boaters travelling from the Leigh Branch towards Liverpool (or vice versa) should pass through Poolstock locks  between 8.00 - 9.00 am or 2.00 - 3.00 pm. Note that Lock 88 (Pagefield Lock) to Lock 89 (Ell Meadow Lock) are closed overnight from 8.00 pm to 8.00 am.

The Canal and River Trust says that these restrictions will be in place until further notice and will be lifted as soon as water levels have stabilised. 

Update Tuesday 13th June:Poolstock Lock has reverted to night-time closure only, being padlocked between 8.00 pm and 8.00 am (the same as Pagefield Lock and Ell Meadow Lock).
Locks 65 and 85 will continue to open only between 8.00 - 9.00 am and between 2.00 - 3.00 pm. Overnight mooring is permitted at Rose Bridge between Locks 77 & 78. 

Lock 85 at Wigan