Notice: Towpath Talk and Mortons Media Group Ltd. is not responsible for any of the information held on this page. Please confirm any stoppages and restrictions with individual waterways prior to travelling.
For Canal & River Trust: canalrivertrust.org.uk>>
Winter stoppages 2017-2018: canalrivertrust.org.uk>>
CRT Enquiries: 03030 404040 unless indicated otherwise
For River Thames: environment-agency.gov.uk>>
For Avon Navigation Trust: avonnavigationtrust.org>>
For Bridgewater Canal Company: bridgewatercanal.co.uk>>
Please note: The following events appear in chronological order, not in order that the dates are posted to the website. Therefore the newest listings may not necessarily appear at the top of the list.
Stoppages & Restrictions Listing
Lincoln Eastern Bypass ADVICE (Monday 25 June 2018 until Monday 30 March 2020) Contractors (Galliford Try) are undertaking construction of a new bypass around Lincoln for the next two years. All boat traffic should take caution when passing and abide by the contractors’ advice, this may result in delay of no longer than 15-20 minutes. Please slow down when approaching bridge and be prepared to stop if requested. Delays not exceeding 15-20 minutes. Starts At: Bridge 94, Minsull Street Bridge RESTRICTION (until 5pm Sunday 1 September 2019) Our third party contractors will be installing and using a temporary scaffold at lock 86. The lock will remain open for use but there may be short delays during installation and removal of the scaffold. Other ongoing construction work between bridges 94 and 95 will not directly affect the canal. All boat traffic should slow down, approach with caution and be prepared to stop if requested. Short delays up to 10/15 minutes may be necessary for contractors to move out of the way. Banksmen and warning signs will be in place. Hills Bridge, Biddings Lane TOWPATH CLOSURE (8am Tuesday 12 February 2019 until further notice) A 3rd party towpath wall on the southern side of Hills Bridge, Biddings Lane
Coseley is on the verge of collapse across what is a very narrow section of
towpath. We are doing everything possible to ensure the owner remedies the
situation as soon as possible, but in the meantime, we have no option other
than to close the towpath. The navigation remains open. Tyrley Service Station ADVICE (3pm Friday 15 February 2019 until further notice) The water supply for Tyrley is supplied by a bore hole owned by a local
farmer. The borehole has been running low for some time and it has now all but dried
up so there’s no water. CRT are in discussions with the local farmer who owns the bore hole with regards to connecting the building up to mains water. These discussions are on going and they are reviewing the proposals. The nearest facilities are at Market Drayton Sanitory Station. Access, Between North and South Points A post dredge survey carried out on 21st
February indicated that a total of 19,900 m3 of sediment has been removed
and clearly shows where further dredging is required. It is proposed to re-commence dredging during the w/e 15th
March. Due to environmental constraints we are not permitted to use the
suction dredger during this period and will return to using conventional
excavator dredging. Following the first phase of dredging being completed in the Gloucester
Docks. This most recent survey survey, taken on 28th February, found
the average depth in the main channel between Llanthony Bridge and Gloucester
Lock to be 3m, with a minimum depth of 1.6m in some areas. The depth at
the entrance to Victoria Basin is 1.6m. CRT currently anticipate the next phase of dredging to begin on 11th March. Please take these readings into account when planning your visit to the
Docks. If you require further information or advice, please contact the Gloucester
Dock Office on 01452 318012 or at enquiries.southwalessevern@canalrivertrust.org.uk. Saltersford Large Lock CRT would like to apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused by the closure of Saltersford Lock on the Weaver Navigation following the serious incident in which the stop planks failed at the end of April. Both our health and safety and engineering teams have been working to investigate the potential cause of the stop plank failure to enable us to develop a safe system of work to de-water and access the lock to complete the necessary repairs. We are pleased to confirm that our investigation is complete and our design
for the new de-watering procedure will be complete in the next week. The proposed solution will take a number of months to manufacture the new
steelwork and for our divers to install the equipment before we can complete
the construction works. We have also developed an interim repair to the
downstream cill that we can complete with our divers and open the lock sooner.
The interim detail does have the risk that it will be unsuccessful, however, we
will endeavour to have the navigation open by early August. With an interim
cill repair in place we will need to return to make a full repair with a planned
winter stoppage in the next few years. We will be arranging a meeting in the next few weeks for our affected
customers to attend as to provide an explanation of the technical issues being
faced at Saltersford Lock, to explain the interim and long-term repairs and to
answer any questions. Following
prior updates indicating a planned reopening date of 18th May, unfortunately
Saltersford Lock has since been subject to a structural failure at its
downstream end. This has irreparably displaced some of the stop planks forming
the downstream dam, causing the lock to become flooded during what was expected
to be the final stages of the works – no one was hurt as a result of this.
Unfortunately the repairs to the downstream lock gate cill had not been
completed when this incident occurred; therefore, the lock is still inoperable
until it can either be dewatered again, or if it is possible to complete the
remaining repairs underwater using divers. Our teams are working urgently to understand the nature of the failure, to establish what can be done safely to rectify the situation. At this stage we are unable to provide a revised opening date until assessment of the potential courses of action has been completed. NAVIGATION CLOSURE (until 4pm Friday 17 May 2019) Unfortunately the works at Saltersford Lock have encountered further delays
since our last update, but we have now found a solution to the issues
preventing a seal on the downstream stop planks. The lock has now been pumped
down allowing us to fully inspect the structure and commence the repairs
urgently needed to the cill and gates. We apologise that our revised date for
re-opening the navigation to customers has been pushed out to 17th
May 2019. Dewatering the lock has been a huge challenge for our operatives, requiring
installation of 9 separate large blanking plates, 6 props across the lock
chamber, top and bottom stop planks and repairs to a damaged downstream cill,
all of which have been done underwater by divers to facilitate pumping the
water out. Having reached this stage of the project, we need to be able to take
this opportunity to return the lock to an operable condition. The scale of
problems we have experienced have been unforeseen, but nonetheless reflect the
complexity of dewatering a large river lock of deteriorated condition. Unfortunately the works at Saltersford Lock have encountered unforeseen
problems with its structural condition during the dewatering phase. This has
resulted in a delay to the project, and the earliest date when we hope to be
able to re-open the navigation to customers is now by close of play on 18th
April 2019. All preparatory works are being carried out underwater by divers, so there
are obvious complexities associated with this. The floor on the
downstream approach to the lock has been found to be badly damaged and this is
currently preventing installation of the downstream stop planks until a
solution is implemented. Urgent works are ongoing to try and resolve this
issue in order that the lock can be dewatered, thoroughly inspected and
repaired as necessary in order to facilitate its future operable
condition. CRT are progressing the dewatering (and subsequent repairs) as soon as they can. Gloucester Docks 48 Hour – S1 Mooring ADVICE (10am Tuesday 12 March 2019 until further notice) For enquiries regarding the repairs to Gloucester Lock please see the notice
here – Slaithwaite Sanitary Station A blockage has been found between the pump out cabin and the facilities
building which requires excavation work before a repair can be completed. Unfortunately, currently CRT are not in a position to be able to carry out this work. The facility for cassettes is in full working order. The nearest pump out facilities are at lock 23W going towards Manchester or
Aspley Marina below Lock 1E heading to Huddersfield. Access Point Due to the partial collapse of a retaining brick wall, this section of the towpath between York Way and Treaty Street will be closed until further notice so that necessary repairs can be undertaken. Please be advised that the wall is not the property of the trust and repairs will be undertaken by the council The canal navigation shall remain open throughout this period however moorings along the towpath will be suspended to ensure safe access for all customers. Please observe local signage. Due to the partial collapse of a retaining brick wall, this section of the towpath between York Way and Treaty Street will be closed until further notice so that necessary repairs can be undertaken. The canal navigation shall remain open throughout this period however moorings along the towpath will be suspended to ensure safe access for all customers. Wykewell Lift Bridge Update on 29/05/2019: We are now in a position to be able to allow assisted passage daily between: To book your passage please call 03030 404040. We are now in a position to be able to allow assisted passage daily between
9am and 10am. We will monitor the impact of this restriction to customers and modify
timings to meet local demands when required. To book your passage please call 03030 404040. The bridge is now in the fully open position. It will stay like this until
Monday morning, when further investigation works will take place. After this
agreed times for opening the bridge will be published. Contractors are on site and are hoping that the temporary works will be completed tomorrow (Saturday 06 April). When this testing has been carried out CRT will then be in a position to update this notice to provide opening times for possible passage through the bridge on Sunday morning. The fabricator has not been able to confirm a completion date but we are
pushing for them to be available by the end of the week. In preparation our contractor is mobilising a team and crane ready to
install the brackets. NAVIGATION CLOSURE (2.45pm Tuesday 19 March 2019 until further notice) A design has been prepared for temporary brackets and the fabricator has
confirmed that work has been commenced. CRT have not yet got a confirmed delivery date from the fabricator for the temporary brackets but will update this notice on Tuesday 2nd with further details. Contractors were on site yesterday and a crane was used
to place strops between the deck and high level beams. The bridge
has been safely lowered and the deck is now lying flat across the canal on the
abutments. A fabrication supplier is visiting today to determine the repair solution
and we will issue an update to the notice when we have further information from
the Contractor. Part of the main bridge structure has failed. The bridge is currently out of action and the navigation
is closed. We are currently mobilising teams to rectify this problem. Starts At: Lock 14 East, Ramsden Lock ADVICE (12noon Wednesday 3 April 2019 until further notice) There is a sand bank in the middle of the channel due to silt washout from
recent storms. Boaters please keep to the edge of the navigation and take care when
approaching the area. Signs will be onsite shortly to advise boaters. Lock 8 Wolverley Lock Starts At: Lock 8 Wolverley Lock There is still a partial blockage in the navigation and we are
monitoring the stability of the bank. We will inspect for movement on a daily basis at approximately 8.30am. We are requesting if passage can be restricted through
the slip between the hours of 8.30am to dusk. Please do not moor within 50mt either side of the slip. For the most part the cutting has remained stable so we are increasing the
opening hours to run from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm each day. Boats will pass
through unsupervised, but staff will periodically check the cutting to ensure
it remains stable and safe to navigate. Could we ask boats to kindly slow right down to tickover speed through the
slipped section. This will take effect from 9am on 4th April. Our contractors have managed to dredge a narrow route through the slippage
that will allow boats to pass through under supervision. Further works to
stabilise the embankment will be undertaken by Severn Trent &
Worcestershire County Council in the near future. Although the canal is closed between Wolverley and Debdale Locks. Starting
on the 14th of March at 3.00pm the closed section will be opened for
boats to pass through the slip on the following times each day, to include
weekends – 9.00am to 10.00am and 2.00pm to 3.00pm. The open times will be
reviewed weekly. Please note: If any further slips occur the canal maybe temporarily closed
again until further investigations have taken place. Our contractors started to excavate this morning having reviewed the
condition of the slope the previous day. WCC attended site with the Trust and provided us with ongoing advice whilst
we carefully removed material form the canal. Our joint observations confirmed that we could continue to cautiously remove
material and were able to create a small channel by late morning and start to
supervise the passage boats. A total of 80T of material was removed from the canal, which given the
nature of the work, is a great achievement. This afternoon five boats had been moved past the slip. Two unoccupied boats are awaiting passage with our supervision as soon as
the owners are contacted. The canal remains closed whilst we assess the stability of the slope following
our operations. We remain concerned about the unsupported material at the
top of the slope which includes the road itself. Progress to fully reinstate the cutting and support to the road will be
investigated by WCC. During the course of yesterday and today our contractor has been mobilising
plant to site. Despite some very unfavourable conditions they have been
able to receive all plant to site using the Lock Inn as an access point. They are now ready to start to carefully remove material which they will
begin, weather permitting, tomorrow. We have experienced heavy rain
today, saturating and potentially weakening the exposed slope. We are
unsure how the slope will react to our excavation, but we want to give it the
best chance. So we plan to commence works with a full day ahead of
us tomorrow. This will be a critical time in the programme, and so we
will update at the end of tomorrows operations hopefully with a better
understanding of how successful we think we might be and how long it will take Our contractors are going to mobilise on Monday the 11th of March
and start excavating material on Tuesday the 12th. Please be aware there is a
real risk with removing the spoil from the canal because presently it might
offer support to the material above it, which in turn supports the road. The
works will be monitored by our own Engineers and Worcester Council Engineers
and should further slippage occur the spoil excavation works may have to be halted
to prevent the road being undermined. Further updates will follow on Tuesday the 12th of March. A landslide has caused trees to fall into the canal and block navigation
just above Wolverley Locks. As a result, this section of canal will be closed
until we are able to remove the trees. Bridge 1c, Lms Main Line No 25 Friday 28 December 2018 until further notice As part of the Bridge replacement works, J Murphy & Sons working on
behalf of Network Rail will be have a pontoon and scaffolding system in the
offside navigational channel, extending approximately 1m into the main (Towpath
side) navigational channel. The pontoon and scaffolding will be in-situ for Starts At: Bascule Bridge – Stanley RESTRICTION (until 5pm Friday 28 June 2019) Please be advised third party contractors will be undergoing piling works to
construct the new bridge widening abutments. These works will be facilitated
between 15 April and 22 April, whilst these works are being carried out,
passing craft may be asked to wait, no longer than 30 minutes, to allow the
third-party contractor to cease works and allow for a safe passage. Third-party contractors will be onsite to undertake construction works to Central Dock Channel Bridge, Liverpool Canal Link.
Ends At: Bridge 95, Chorlton Street Bridge
Up Stream Winding Hole: Dale Street
Down Stream Winding Hole: Castlefield Basin below lock 92 (Bridgewater Canal)Update on 12/03/2019:
Update on 05/03/2019:
Up Stream Winding Hole: River Weaver
Down Stream Winding Hole: River WeaverUpdate on 10/06/2019:
Update on 03/05/2019:
Update on 01/04/2019:
Update on 06/03/2019:
Original message:
Lock closure and dewatering, for large scale repairs
and maintenance. Please be aware the end date of this closure is
outside our published winter stoppage period.
Original message:
Update on 19/03/2019:
Update on 22/03/2019:
Original message:
We are now in a position to be able to allow assisted passage daily between:
9am – 10am & 3pm – 4pm
To book your passage please call 03030 404040.
On weekends, please call 0800 4799947Update on 28/05/2019:
Update on 08/04/2019:
Update on 06/04/2019:
Update on 05/04/2019:
Update on 02/04/2019:
Update on 29/03/2019:
Update on 21/03/2019:
Original message:
Ends At: Lock 15 East, Golcar Brook Lock
Ends At: Lock 9 Debdale LockUpdate on 12/06/2019:
Update on 03/04/2019:
Update on 14/03/2019:
Update on 13/03/2019:
Update on 13/03/2019:
Update on 07/03/2019:
Original message:
the duration of the works. The main, towpath side channel will remain open with
reduced width.
Ends At: Prince’s Dock BridgeUpdate on 08/04/2019:
Original message: