Stoppages & Restrictions Listings

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: Lock 2 Gloucester Lock
Ends At: Quay

Update on 11/01/2019:

CRT are able to advise that, after a recent depth survey on the River Severn along this stretch of water, the noted depths are as follows:-

Between 1.60m and 1.75m along the main channel and 1.50m along the fringe.

We are now preparing a dredging programme to further improve the situation and will advise as soon this is in place.

We still advise caution whilst navigating this section of the River due to changing currents depending on the tidal situation

Update on 08/10/2018:

Please be advised that we have observed a build-up of silt at the top of the Partings, which is narrowing the channel by the old Ronson site. Customers are advised to navigate this section of the river in single file and keep to the centre of the channel. Please take extra care when entering or leaving the Partings and remain vigilant for any obstructions.

Update on 17/08/2018:

Please be aware that though we are no longer under regulation from the Environment Agency, water levels along the River Severn will be inconsistent for some time.

Please ensure you navigate with caution and remain vigilant for obstructions. Report any concerns you may have to the waterway team.

If you require further information then please contact the Gloucester Dock Office on 01452 318012 or at enquiries.southwalessevern@canalrivertrust.org.uk

Update on 14/08/2018:

Please be aware that we are no longer under EA regulations as the water levels have risen.

Please ensure you still navigate with caution and remain vigilant for any obstructions. Any concerns you may have should be reported to the waterway team on 01452 318012 or at enquiries.southwalessevern@canalrivertrust.org.uk.

Update on 20/07/2018:

Please be advised that due to the long period of hot weather, we are currently experiencing very low water levels along the River Severn navigation.

Due to these low water levels, EA regulations demand that we now share locks along the river.

Please ensure you navigate with caution and remain vigilant for obstructions. Report any concerns you may have to the waterway team.

ADVICE (10am Friday 6 July 2018 until further notice)

Please be advised that due to the long period of hot weather the River Severn Navigation currently has low water levels.

Please be vigilant for obstructions and report any concerns to waterways.

Please navigate with caution.

Starts At: Lock 1
Ends At: Lock 16

Update on 06/02/2019:

Unfortunately, whilst the works at Marple Lock 11 have been progressing steadily throughout the winter so far, they are a few weeks behind our original intended schedule.

It is now planned to re-open the canal to boats by close of play on Friday 24^th May 2019. Delays have been encountered in the piling phase of the works, with the augering of the ground and reinforced concrete pile installation behind the existing lock walls proving slower than expected, as well as having to address some design changes due to site constraints. However, the piling is now complete, ensuring the ground is stable so that the failed lock walls can be carefully dismantled.

Given the progression of the works to date, at this stage we now have more certainty regarding the expected duration of the next phase; take-down of both lock walls, followed by their re-building back to the correct alignment. This is complex and time consuming, as the walls are being re-constructed like-for-like, in order to comply with heritage requirements.  Lock 11 is a Grade II Listed structure.

Update on 22/08/2018:

Due to further movement of the chamber wall at Marple Lock 11, the lock is now too narrow for boats to fit through safely. As such, the Marple Lock Flight is unfortunately closed to navigation.

We have considered repeating the jacking operation to the lock walls to try and get a couple of additional weeks of navigation. However, we have dismissed this option as this would likely take around 2 weeks to complete and would coincide with the date the Marple and Bosley flights are closed to preserve water on the Upper Peak Forest and Macclesfield Canal sections.

We appreciate this is very frustrating for our customers and we are sorry for the inconvenience this causes. Our teams are busy planning the re-building of the lock walls and the flight will remain closed until this is complete.

The works to re-build the lock are currently anticipated to take place from November 2018 to March 2019. Given its depth and location, this is an extremely complex operation. Concrete retaining structures will be installed first on either side of the chamber, and the walls will then be carefully taken down to base level. They will then be re-built to the original alignment to reinstate suitable width to the lock, with the retaining structures behind providing the necessary ground support to prevent future movement of the reconstructed walls.

Thorough site investigation works have now been completed, including boreholes to confirm the ground conditions, trial pits to establish the location of the wall buttresses and coring of the lock walls themselves to identify their exact depth.  All of this was necessary to be able to confirm a detailed design for the repair solution, the works for which are ongoing.  Following this, the proposed repairs will have to go through a consent process with the lock being a Grade II listed structure and valued heritage asset, before the works on site will be able to commence.

NAVIGATION CLOSURE (5pm Monday 23 July 2018 until further notice)

Due to further movement of the chamber wall at Marple Lock 11, the lock is now too narrow for boats to fit through safely.  As such, the Marple Lock Flight is closed to navigation.

CRT have considered repeating the jacking operation to the lock walls to try and get a couple of additional weeks of navigation. However we have dismissed this option as this would likely take around 2 weeks to complete and would coincide with the date we have decided to close the Marple and Bosley Flights to preserve water on the Upper Peak Forest and Macclesfield Canal sections.

We appreciate this is very frustrating for our customers and we are sorry for the inconvenience this causes. Our teams are busy planning to complete the re-building of the lock walls and the Flight will remain closed until this is complete. We will be able to provide an update on the proposed timescales as soon as they are available.

Access, Between North and South Points

Update on 03/01/2019:

This week’s survey, taken on 3rd January, found the average depth in the main channel between Llanthony Bridge and Gloucester Lock to be 1.63m, with a minimum depth of 1.3m in some areas. The depth at the entrance to Victoria Basin is 1.4m.

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.

Thank you.

Update on 03/01/2019:

This week’s survey, taken on 1st January, found the average depth in the main channel between Llanthony Bridge and Gloucester Lock to be 1.63m, with a minimum depth of 1.3m in some areas. The depth at the entrance to Victoria Basin is 1.4m.

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.

Update on 18/12/2018:

This week’s survey, taken on 18th December, found the average depth in the main channel between Llanthony Bridge and Gloucester Lock to be 1.77m, with a minimum depth of 1.4m in some areas. The depth at the entrance to Victoria Basin is 1.4m.

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.

Update on 13/12/2018:

This week’s survey, taken on 11th December, found the average depth in the main channel between Llanthony Bridge and Gloucester Lock to be 1.81m, with a minimum depth of 1.35m in some areas. The depth at the entrance to Victoria Basin is 1.4m.

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.

Update on 05/12/2018:

This week’s survey, taken on 4th December, found the average depth in the main channel between Llanthony Bridge and Gloucester Lock to be 1.66m, with a minimum depth of 1.35m in some areas. The depth at the entrance to Victoria Basin is 1.4m.

Please take these readings into account when planning your visit to the Docks.

Update on 29/11/2018:

Further to the notice below, we have begun taking weekly soundings which will continue until the dredging works commence in January.

This week’s survey, taken on Tuesday, found the average depth in the main channel between Llanthony Bridge and Gloucester Lock to be 1.7m, with a minimum depth of 1.4m in some areas. The depth at the entrance to Victoria Basin is 1.3m.

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.

Update on 12/11/2018:

Dredging works will commence at Gloucester Docks during January and February 2019. Contractors working on behalf of Canal and River Trust will carry this out out in the Gloucester Basin and on the canal immediately south of Llanthony Bridge.

ADVICE (12noon Friday 28 September 2018 until further notice)

We are currently experiencing a build-up of silt in the main Gloucester Basin.

Available depth ranges from 1.50m to 2.00m across the basin. We are in the process of looking to bring forward our planned January dredging programme in response to this situation.

We advise boaters to exercise caution navigating the basin.

Aqueduct 4
Down Stream Winding Hole: Talybont Wharf (300 metres south of Talybont Aqueduct)

ADVICE (9am Monday 8 October 2018 until further notice)

A silt curtain has been installed just south of Talybont Aqueduct.  The curtain is clearly marked with a line of buoys and stretches from the water surface to the canal bottom.  Therefore, no turning can take place at this location, if you do need to turn your boat there is a winding hole at Talybont Wharf (300 metres south of Talybont Aqueduct).

The silt curtain has been installed to minimise sediment build up behind the weir, which should prevent silty water running over the weir and impacting on surrounding watercourses.

Starts At: Lock 65, Top Lock
Ends At: Lock 85, Lock 21

RESTRICTION (Tuesday 30 October 2018 until further notice)

Since the re-opening of the Wigan Flight; Lock 65 (Top of Wigan Flight) and Lock 85 (Bottom of Wigan Flight) on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, we have been carefully reviewing the situation of our reservoir holdings. Due to the sensitive nature of the flight and to oversee safe use, as of Tuesday 30 October 2018 we will be implementing the following restrictions;

• 8.30am – 10am to facilitate entry on to the flight
• 12.30pm – 2pm to allow exit off the flight

The above locks will be padlocked closed outside of these times.  Overnight mooring on the flight will be permitted only at Rose Bridge (between Locks 77 & 78).   Roving lock keepers will be on the Wigan Flight daily to oversee the passages and ensure the water levels are maintained.  This is not an assisted passage and staff will be around to help customers when needed.

Full assistance is available for single handed boaters on Thursday mornings at 8:30am. Our Wigan Lock keepers can be contacted direct on 01942 405774 if you have any questions or want to report an issue on the flight.  Our Wigan Flight team will endeavour to help with any issues. Please bear with us as we may already be dealing with other urgent jobs.

Overnight restrictions will also be implemented at Poolstock Locks, along with Lock 88 (Pagefield Lock) to Lock 89 (Ell Meadow Lock).  These locks will be opened at 8am and locked at 4pm daily.

These restrictions will be in place until further notice.

Starts At: Bridge 94, Minsull Street Bridge
Ends At: Bridge 95, Chorlton Street Bridge
Up Stream Winding Hole: Dale Street
Down Stream Winding Hole: Castlefield Basin below lock 92 (Bridgewater Canal)

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.

Saul Sanitary Station

ADVICE (9am Thursday 6 December 2018 until further notice)

Please be advised that the Elsan at Saul Junction is currently locked and out of order due to inappropriate use.

Engineers have been contacted to attend site. We have regularly had cause to investigate the issues on this site and are concerned at their reoccurrence, however it will now remain closed until our next steps have been agreed.

Starts At: Lock 15, Semington Lock
Ends At: Lock 16, Harris Lock
Up Stream Winding Hole: Bridge 150 Sells Green Swingbridge
Down Stream Winding Hole: Whaddon 65ft Winding Hole

Update on 18/12/2018:

We carried out further investigations on Monday 17 December and found the bottom approach walls to the lock have moved further. There is now a risk that the towpath lock approach wall could give way, particularly if it were to be hit by a boat.

As a result, having exhausted all options to find a solution, we’ve unfortunately no choice but to close the lock to boat traffic. This closure will continue until the planned repair work begins in early January 2019. Weare reviewing designs and will revise the scope of the project accordingly.

We don’t take the decision to close the lock to boat traffic lightly, but the safety of our boaters and towpath users is paramount. We will continue to work with those boaters affected by the closure and would advise anyone who was planning to use the lock prior to the planned closure in January to review their movements.

Update on 14/12/2018:

The Trust are currently reviewing options for the repairs and possible rebuild to the downstream approach walls and canal invert to Lock 16. To this end, Engineers will be undertaking further investigation works on Monday 17^th December. 

 The current prognosis is that the lock will remain closed to all boating traffic until these repairs have been undertaken. 

CRT are scheduled to commence repair works in early January, for which a stoppage had already been programmed.

Update on 05/12/2018:

Following the inspection it has been found that the bottom approach chamber wall support has collapsed.

Consequently the lock will remain closed until further notice.

Engineers are currently working on a method of repair.

An update will be issued on Friday 14th December.

Original message:

Lock 16 will be closed to boating traffic from 8am on Tuesday 4^th December to 4pm on Thursday 6^th December with the pound between Lock 15 and 16 being drained of water.

We are inspecting the lock before we carry out repairs to the chamber walls of Lock 16, which will be done as part of the winter stoppage planned to take place from 7th January 2019.

Starts At: Lock 52, Top Lock
Ends At: Lock 57, Bottom Lock
Up Stream Winding Hole: Bridge 103A, Eanam Bridge
Down Stream Winding Hole: Bridge 96, Bower House Fold Bridge

Update on 07/01/2019:

Please be advised further investigations need to be carried out, whilst the investigations are taking place, the below restrictions will remain.

Update on 02/01/2019:

Please be advised this restriction will remain in place whilst CRT continue to oversee passages on the Blackburn Flight.

Update on 21/12/2018:

Please be advised the local team have successfully facilitated a repair to Top Lock, Blackburn after the recent act of severe vandalism. In order to avoid potential further damage and flooding over the festive season, starting Saturday 22 December, we will be implementing the following restriction;

Blackburn Lock flight (Lock 57, Bottom Lock to Lock 52, Top Lock) will be opened at 10am to 3pm, with last passage at 2pm, daily.

The lock flight will be padlocked out of these hours. No bookings are required, but please can customers check all gates and paddles are closed after use and to share locks where possible.

NAVIGATION CLOSURE (Thursday 20 December 2018 until further notice)

Please be advised Blackburn Lock Flight is closed to navigation due to a suspected act of vandalism which happened in the early hours of this morning. Damage has been caused to the Top Lock in which ongoing investigations are being carried out by the local team.

If you have any information regarding the incident, please call 03030 404040 and ask to speak with the North-West office.

Starts At: Lock 32 Gailey Lock
Ends At: Lock 36 Otherton Lock
Up Stream Winding Hole: Next to Calf Heath Bridge 77
Down Stream Winding Hole: Moat House, Bridge 92

Monday 7 January 2019 08:00 until Monday 4 March 2019 16:00

Type: Navigation Closure 
Reason: Repair

Update on 09/01/2019:

The contractors carrying out the rebuilding of the lower lock landing have requested the stoppage is extended by an additional three days, in order to complete all the works required.   The navigation will now be re-opened on 4^th March. 

The towpath is also closed to facilitate the repairs.  However, please be aware the towpath closure will remain in place until 15^th March 2019 whilst surrounding works are completed.

Embankment – Puppy Green Bridge to Netherton Tunnel Branch, New Main Line
Up Stream Winding Hole: Factory Junction Bridge, junction with Old Main Line
Down Stream Winding Hole: Dudley Port Junction

NAVIGATION CLOSURE (8am Wednesday 2 January until 2pm Friday 24 May 2019)

Update on 14/01/2019:

Waterway wall repairs are being undertaken between Puppy Green Pipe Bridge and Netherton Tunnel Branch (Dudley Port Junction).   

An alternative route is available by using the Old Main Line (Wolverhampton Level) from Factory Junction through to the Gower Branch Junction and down Brades Locks back onto the New Main Line Canal at Gower Branch Turnover Bridge. 

The Netherton Tunnel Branch in unaffected and will remain fully open during the duration of these works.  It can be accessed from the New Mainline approaching from the East.

During this closure, Third Party Contractors will also be working alongside the Trust to remove the gas pipe crossing near to Puppy Green Aqueduct. These works will take advantage of the existing stoppage to ensure the impact to the navigation is minimised.

Original message:

Bridge 24, Llanthony Lift Bridge

ADVICE (Saturday 12 January 2019 until further notice)

Original message:

Please be advised that due to dredging operations by Llanthony Bridge, passage through the bridge at weekends may be delayed for up to half an hour.

To book passage through the bridge at the weekend or on weekdays, please provide 24-hour’s notice by contacting Gloucester Lock on 01452 310832.