Stoppages

CANAL TEMPORARILY CLOSED to boaters for swing bridge repairs

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August 2, 2025

Engineers are working to repair a unique sliding swing bridge which takes trains over a canal in North Lincolnshire after a fault with its mechanism. Sensors on the structure in Keadby, near Scunthorpe, alerted Network Rail teams to a problem on August 1. Train services between Doncaster and Scunthorpe are unaffected, with the bridge left…
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BRIDGEWATER CANAL closed until December 2026

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July 10, 2025

THE COMPANY that runs the Bridgewater Canal has confirmed it won’t reopen to navigation until December 2026. A catastrophic flood occurred at Little Bollington, near Dunham Massey, on New Year’s Day following heavy rainfall. It left farmland under water and drained a 1.9-mile section of the canal. Emergency stoplogs were put in to stop further…
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EMERGENCY REPAIRS keeps longest canal lock flight closed

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May 10, 2025

URGENT repairs to the longest canal lock flight in Britain will keep the locks closed until August. The Canal & River Trust is undertaking urgent works, costing £500,000, to Tardebigge Top Lock on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal after investigations revealed that the 200-year-old lock wall is in need of restoration. The work is vital…
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Stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool reopens

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Colin Wareing

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August 19, 2023

Repairs have been completed on Leeds and Liverpool to a leak through the wash wall between bridges 32 and 31 near Burscough in West Lancashire on Wednesday the 16.8.2023. A leak had been detected through the wash wall along the towpath side with the canal flowing into an adjacent farm field. On Sunday the 16th of…
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Water resource update: canals staying open for boating

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November 1, 2022

Following the temporary reopening of canals over the October half term, Canal & River Trust are pleased to announce that the canals below are now open for boating until further notice (excluding any planned winter works). Additionally, the restrictions on the Grand Union and Oxford canals at Watford, Foxton and Braunston are being lifted from…
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Kennet & Avon Canal Crofton Pumping Station works to be completed this winter

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October 26, 2022

The Canal & River Trust’s project to replace the pumping system at Crofton, that keeps the summit of the Kennet & Avon Canal topped-up with water for boats, towpath users and wildlife, will be completed this winter. The works, near Great Bedwyn in Wiltshire, started last month and will continue through to March 2023. Costing…
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River Thames winter stoppages

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October 22, 2022

THE Environment Agency is investing £9 million as part of its annual programme of essential works along the non-tidal River Thames. It is needed to replace or keep maintained 45 locks, their associated structures and towpath bridges, in reliable condition for the continued safe enjoyment of boaters and all visitors. The following locks will be…
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Canal towpath closed as improvements begin

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October 20, 2022

Works will give local people a clean, green route to feeling happier and healthier The Canal & River Trust has started a project to revamp a section of canal towpath in Swarkestone making it easier for local people to feel the health and wellbeing benefits of spending time by the water. CRT, working in partnership…
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REOPENING OPPORTUNITIES PLANNED FOR NORTHERN DROUGHT-IMPACTED CANALS

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October 15, 2022

Following 2022’s drought, which forced the closure to navigation of several canals in the north of the country, the Canal & River Trust is planning ‘windows’ of canal reopening over the coming weeks. In most instances this will allow boating over the October half term and up to the start of winter stoppage works, whilst…
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WATERWAYS’ WINTER WORK PROGRAMME FOR 2022-23 ANNOUNCED

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September 30, 2022

The Canal & River Trust has announced its winter works programme 2022-23, providing details of the major repairs and canal improvements the charity will be carrying out between November and March. 48 waterways will benefit from 172 large-scale works to repair masonry and brickwork, fix leaks, update and install hydraulics and electrics at mechanised structures,…
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CANAL & RIVER TRUST PROVIDES UPDATE ON NORTHERN WATER LEVELS – and it’s closures..

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July 18, 2022

As the country faces prolonged hot weather, the Canal & River Trust is taking action to manage the very low water levels in the north of England. Following the temporary closure of locks on the Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals from 24 June, and reduced operating times on several other waterways, the Canal & River…
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RESERVOIR WORK AND DRY SPRING CAUSE WATER-SAVING CANAL CLOSURE

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June 24, 2022

The Canal & River Trust has taken the difficult decision to temporarily close locks, restricting navigation on the Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals from 24 June as a combination of essential reservoir repairs and a dry spring have caused water supplies in the North West to drop to historically low levels. The Peak Forest and…
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Leighton Buzzard towpath closures begin 6 June 2022

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May 25, 2022

On 6 June, in partnership with national walking and cycling charity Sustrans, Canal & River Trust, the national waterways and wellbeing charity, is starting a £500,000 towpath improvement project on the Grand Union Canal in Leighton Buzzard. The works, which will be undertaken by the Canal & River Trust’s engineering contractor Kier and are due…
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Breach repairs continue at Rishton

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Janet Richardson

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February 12, 2022

THE Canal & River Trust is continuing work to repair a collapsed embankment which swept a section of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal into the River Hyndburn at Rishton, Lancashire. Subject to weather conditions, it is hoped to re-open the canal in late spring. It is estimated the work will cost nearly £1.7 million. Senior…
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