Leeds and Liverpool to remain closed between Wigan and Gargrave

The Canal and River Trust has announced that the lock flights between Lock 85 (Wigan) and Lock 30 (Holme) on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal are to remain closed until at least the end of October, possibly later if there is no significant and prolonged rainfall over the coming weeks.

The canal's reservoir holdings are still extremely low. At least 5 weeks of prolonged rainfall would be required before the locks can be re-opened for navigation.

The lock flights at Wigan (locks 65 to 85), Johnsons Hillocks (58 to 64), Blackburn Flight (locks 52 to 57), Barrowford Locks (45 to 51), Greenberfield Locks (42 to 44), Bank Newton Locks (36 to 41) and Gargrave (locks 35 to 30) are padlocked closed and the gates have been ashed up to reduce leakage. To prevent unauthorised use, measures have been taken to make the locks inoperable.

Whilst the canal has been closed CRT has been taking advantage of the closure to carry out work to remedy issues on the locks, including paddle repairs, vegetation clearance, pointing works, and leakage repairs on the gates. CRT is bringing forward the winter works planned for Locks 43, 73, 81 and 85, with this work taking place during September while the lock flight remains closed.

An update will be issued at the end of September.

Holme Bridge Lock (30), near Gargrave