Water supply restrictions start on Leeds and Liverpool

As the hot weather continues, the first restrictions begin in a bid to conserve dwindling water supplies on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

The lock flights at Greenberfield and Barrowford, on either side of the canal's summit level, will be locked overnight.

The two lock flights will be open for navigation between 10.00 am and 8.00 pm daily. Last entry into each lock flight will be at 7.00 pm. Any boats that have not cleared the flight by 8.00 pm will be locked in overnight although the Canal and River Trust warns of the possibility of the intermediate pounds de-watering during the night.

These restrictions will begin on Monday 22nd July until further notice.

At Barrowford, Locks 41 and 51 will be locked overnight. At Greenberfield, Locks 42 and 44 will be locked overnight.

Update Friday 19th July:
In addition, the lock flights at Bank Newton and Gargrave will be locked overnight. The times will be the same as above, i.e. open between 10.00 am and 8.00 pm with last entry at 7.00 pm. Locks 30 and 35 at Gargrave and 36 and 41 at Bank Newton will be locked overnight.


Barrowford Locks

Water supply problems on Rochdale

The hot and dry weather is resulting in water supply problems on part of the Rochdale Canal.

The Summit pound was closed last week because of low water levels. While the water level was down, investigations into the water loss were carried out and it was discovered that a large void had appeared. Emergency repairs were carried out in an attempt to prevent further water loss and the Summit was re-opened for a restricted period each day.

However, the Summit pound is still not re-filling as expected and so was closed again.

Restricted opening of the Summit is expected to be happen on Thursday 18th, Friday 19th, Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st July between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm.

Anyone intended to navigate across the Rochdale Canal should contact the Canal and River Trust on 03030 404040 for the latest status on this.

Meanwhile the shortage of water at the summit is affecting parts of the canal further down. If boaters find themselves in difficulty. the Canal and River Trust is asking boaters not to attempt to sort things out for themselves, but to call them on 03030 404040 (or 0800 47 999 47 out of hours) and they will send someone to help. Boaters are urged to share locks if possible and to ensure that all paddles are left completely closed.

Update Monday 22nd July:
The Summit pound will continue to be open between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm each day until further notice and the Canal and River Trust will continue to monitor water levels.


The Summit Pound, Rochdale Canal

Swing bridge stoppage near Bingley

There is a stoppage on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Skipton and Bingley.

This is because Leaches Swing Bridge (196) just west of Riddleston is closed to navigation due to a pintal failure.

An inspection has revealed that the damage to the bridge is severe and the Canal and River Trust is reviewing the best method of repair. An update is to be issued on Friday 19th July.

Update Friday 19th July:
Repairs to the bridge are being started and could take 4 to 5 days. A further update is to be issued on Monday 22nd July.

Update Monday 22nd July:
The repairs are now complete and the bridge has re-opened for navigation.


Leaches Swing Bridge, Riddleston, Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Johnsons Hillock locks closed

Boaters using the Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Wigan and Blackburn are being affected by a stoppage at Johnsons Hillock Locks.

A cill at Lock 60 has been damaged, making the lock inoperable. This is likely to have happened when a boat tried to enter or leave the lock when the water level was too low, causing damage to the wooden cill that abuts the gate so that it no longer makes a seal.

The Canal and River Trust will issue an update on Friday 19th July.

Boaters wishing to turn back rather than wait can wind below Johnsons Hillock Locks or at Riley Green.

Update Friday 17th July:
The repair is now complete and Johnsons Hillock Locks have re-opened for navigation.


Leeds and Liverpool Lock 60, Johnson's Hillock

Short stoppages on Huddersfield Narrow

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal will be closed between Locks 10e and 11e at Milnsbridge on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th July to enable remedial work to be carried out. This is because of a continuing leak from this short pound. The water level needs to be right down to allow concreting and pointing work to take place. Passage will not be possible during this work.

Boats may be winded below Lock 9e or above Lock 16e, which are also suitable places to moor while waiting for the work to be completed.

A similar stoppage is currently taking place (17th and 18th July) between Locks 28e and 29e between Slaithwaite and Marsden. This is to enable pointing work to be carried out to reduce leakage.


The pound between Locks 10e and 11e at Milnsbridge.

Another one day Marsden stoppage

There will be a further one day stoppage on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal at Marsden on Wednesday 26th June.

The canal will be de-watered between Locks 38e and 39e, at Warehouse Hill, in order for one of the tunnel passenger boats to be repaired. This pound has been chosen as it is a short pound with vehicle access alongside.

The locks will be closed between 9.30 am and 4.00 pm. The towpath will also be closed, with a short diversion signposted.

There was a similar stoppage at the same location on 7th June.


Lock 38e, Huddersfield Narrow Canal

Boat damages bridge on Ashton Canal

Boaters face a further stoppage on the Ashton Canal after a swing bridge was damaged when hit by a boat.

Bridge 15, known as Copperas Lane Bridge or Clockhouse Bridge, is below Lock 17 at Droylsden. Following the boat impact, the bridge is wedged in the closed position. Canal and River Trust staff have been on site to advise boaters and engineers have been called out to assess the damage. CRT will issue a further update as soon as possible.

Any boaters intending to travel through the Ashton lock flight should not set off through Lock 1 or Lock 18 unless they have checked whether the bridge has been re-opened.

This stoppage affects boats navigating the Cheshire Ring. The Ashton Canal has only just re-opened after being blocked by a boat sinking at Lock 13.

The latest situation can be found by calling the Canal and River Trust on 03030 404040. Updates will be added below when they are received.

Update Thursday 13th June:
The bridge has been repaired and the navigation has now re-opened.


Copperas Lane or Clockhouse Bridge, Droylsden

Boat Sinking blocks Ashton Canal

Boaters using the Ashtron Canal are being delayed by a boat that has sunk at Lock 13, by the Strawberry Duck pub.

Canal and River Trust staff are working with the boaters to move the boat and an update will be issued. In the meantime, boats should not start on the lock flight, but wait above Lock 18 or below Lock 1.

This stoppage affects boaters navigating the Cheshire Ring.

For enquiries about this stoppage, please call the Canal and River Trust on 03030 404040.

Update Wednesday 12th June:
The sunken boat has been removed and the navigation has now re-opened.


Lock 13, Ashton Canal

One day Marsden stoppage

There will be a one day stoppage on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal at Marsden tomorrow, Friday 7th June.

The canal will be de-watered between Locks 38e and 39e, at Warehouse Hill, in order for one of the tunnel passenger boats to be repaired. Presumably this pound has been chosen as it is a short pound with vehicle access alongside.

The locks will be closed between 9.30 am and 4.00 pm. The towpath will also be closed, with a short diversion signposted.


Lock 38e, Huddersfield Narrow Canal

Skipton Swing Bridge Closed

Boaters on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in the Skipton area face a long delay after the Gawflat Swing Bridge (176) became inoperable following an impact from a boat.

The Canal and River Trust says that the bridge will be action until further notice and that an update will be issued on Friday 31st May.

Gawflat Swing Bridge is half a mile west of Skipton town centre and is on a popular stretch of canal. The stoppage will particularly affect hirers who need to return their boats to the hire bases by the weekend.

Google Street View of Gawflat Swing Bridge:

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Hiccup on the Huddersfield

This news item should have been reporting a stoppage on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. Earlier today CRT issued a stoppage notice today for Lock 13w of the Huddersfield Canal in Mossley, as the top gate was "inoperable" (it wouldn't close). It was believed that the post had lifted out of its pot. A stoppage notice saying that the lock will be shut until Tuesday when further investigations would take place.

The crews of the eight boats from Cheshire Cruising Club that were waiting just below the lock were not happy about that and decided to investigate the problem (as they had nothing else to do).

Exploration with a long pole revealed that a plastic barrier was on the bottom, with the gate riding over it so far and then being unable to close. The boaters managed to pull the barrier out of the water and close the gate.

The eight boats have now successfully passed through the lock and are at Roaches Lock for the night.

The lock still requires some investigation by CRT, as there is some resistance for the last few inches when opening or closing the gate, and water spurting up under the gate suggests that there may be debris preventing a good seal between the gate and the cill, but the gate is at least operable at present.

Cheshire Cruising Club informed CRT that the lock is now passable.


Boater power at Lock 13w

Yorkshire Flood Locks Closed

Boaters travelling in Yorkshire are warned that, following heavy rain overnight, the flood locks on the Calder and Hebble Navigation have been closed, along with some of those on the Aire and Calder Navigation.

All the flood locks on the Calder and Hebble are closed and the Canal and River Trust says that they are unlikely to re-open today in view of the amount of rain that fell. On the Aire and Calder the flood locks at Castleford, Ferrybridge and Broadreach are shut. If water levels continue to rise then those at Clarence Dock and Knostrop may also be shut.

In a separate stoppage, Woodnock Lock is shut on the Aire and Calder between Castleford and Stanley Ferry. This because of a mains power failure that has affected the lock. The power company visited site last night but could not trace the fault, so they have returned today to continue work. Passage will not be possible through the lock until the fault has been repaired.

The Calder and Hebble is also closed at Shepley Bridge Lock following a gate failure. See earlier report.

Update Wednesday 15th May:
The power company have told the Canal and River Trust the problem at Woodnock Lock is with a transformer and they are awaiting parts for a repair. Another update will be issued on the afternoon of Thursday 16th May.

Update Thursday 16th May:
The flood gates on the Calder and Hebble are being re-opened today but it may take up to 4 hours to get to all the gates. The flood gates on the Aire and Calder are now also open.

Update Thursday 16th May, 4.00 pm:
The power at Woodnock Lock has been restored and the lock is now working. There will be a slight delay in the lock filling and emptying as it is on a temporary timer, whilst further parts are awaited to complete the repair.


Thornes Flood Lock on the Calder and Hebble

Shepley Bridge Lock update

Shepley Bridge Lock on the Calder and Hebble Navigation is currently closed for emergency repairs. The stoppage is as a result of the failure of the heel post of the top gate on the towpath side. Both gates are in poor condition and will be craned out and replaced.

The Canal and River Trust has announced that the gates will be craned out on 8th May and taken to Stanley Ferry workshop so that replicas can be made.

It is hoped that the new gates will be ready to be installed in the week beginning 20th May. The Canal and River Trust will issue a further update on 10th May.

Shepley Bridge Lock is on the Mirfield Cut between Cooper Bridge and Wakefield. For boaters held up by the stoppage, there are plenty of moorings along the Mirfield Cut above Shepley Bridge Lock, but a river section is below the lock. For boaters travelling westwards there are numerous mooring possibilities between Broad Cut and Thornhill Flood Lock.

Update Friday 10th May:
The lock gates have now been removed and taken to Stanley Ferry workshop so that new gates can be made.

Update Friday 17th May:
The new gates will be on site and ready to be craned in on Wednesday 22nd May.

Update Thursday 25th May:
The new gates have now been installed and the lock has re-opened to navigation.


Shepley Bridge Lock, Calder and Hebble Navigation

Calder and Hebble Stoppage

Shepley Bridge Lock on the Calder and Hebble Navigation has been closed for emergency repairs.

The heel post of the top gate on the towpath side has snapped. Engineers have examined the gate and found that a temporary repair is not possible.

Both gates will be craned out and replaced. This means taking them to the Stanley Ferry workshop so that replicas can be made.

The Canal and River Trust estimates that the stoppage could be for at least three weeks. Updates will be issued when a date for completion is known.

Shepley Bridge Lock is on the Mirfield Cut between Cooper Bridge and Wakefield.


Downstream approach to Shepley Bridge Lock