Past Stoppages & Restrictions Listing

Norbury Customer Service Facility
Norbury Service Station

Update on 24/01/2023:

The facility is now back open.

ADVICE (1pm Monday 23 January 2023 until further notice)

The whole facility is currently closed whilst we get the septic tank for the facility emptied.

Please bear with us whilst our contractors deal with this issue.

Lock 10, Stoke Lock

Update on 02/02/2023:

The work taking place at Stoke Lock has now been completed. Our local team are putting the lock back into self-operation this afternoon, and boaters will then be able to operate the lock as normal. Thank you for your continued patience.

RESTRICTION (Friday 20 January 2023 until further notice)

We are very sorry to advise that we need to put in place a a further navigational restriction at Stoke Lock.

The repair works are complete, but unfortunately the testing and commissioning needs further work meaning we cannot return the lock to user operation as we are unable to open and close the gates automatically.

The lock can be operated by a Trust colleague/volunteer to allow boats to pass through. 

If you are needing to travel through Stoke Lock, we request 24 hour’s notice and we will do our best to accommodate your passage. 

Please contact us on either 0303 040 4040 or [email protected]. 

As soon as we have more information with regards the lock being fully operational again, we will update the website accordingly. 

Tree in navigation
Bridge 54, Babworth Lady Bridge

Update on 16/02/2023:

The contractors have returned back to the tree with different equipment to remove the section under the water and has been successful.

The tree has been removed.

Update on 13/02/2023:

Unfortunately the tree has not been fully removed as there was more of the tree under the surface. Contractors are attempting to remove the rest of it today.

We will update the notice when all of the tree is removed from the navigation.

Update on 10/02/2023:

Contractors have removed the tree this morning. 

Passage is navigable.

RESTRICTION (4pm Friday 20 January 2023 until further notice)

Could skippers of all craft slow down on approach as there is a tree halfway across the navigation. 

We will update the notice once the tree has been removed. 

Fordgate to Bridgwater Docks
Starts At: Bridge 13, Fordgate Swingbridge
Ends At: Lock 1 Barge Lock

Update on 23/01/2023:

Further to the notice below, we are pleased to advise that the pumps have been moved and the towpath is now unobstructed.

The location of the pumps does mean that the downstream landing stage to Fordgate Swingbridge is not accessible, and the car park will remain closed for EA operations for the duration of works.

In the meantime, please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused by these urgent 3^rd party works.

Update on 20/01/2023:

Further to the information below, we are sorry to advise that the towpath has been obstructed at Fordgate because the pumps were not installed as expected.

The area has been secured for safety reasons and we are working with the Environment Agency to correct the situation as quickly as possible.

The towpath remains open from North Newton (Kings Lock) to Fordgate, but there is a dead end at Fordgate and no access to Fordgate car park by foot or by vehicle.

The towpath remains open between Fordgate and Bridgwater. 

In the meantime, please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused by these urgent 3^rd party works.

RESTRICTION (10.30am Thursday 19 January 2023 until further notice)

Please be aware that the Environment Agency will be using the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal to help convey flood water on the Somerset Levels away to the River Parrett.

Equipment will be installed on the offside near Fordgate bridge to pump flood water into the canal, and then a second installation will pump water back out of the canal into the River Parrett, at Bridgwater Docks.

We will monitor water levels closely during this time and expect the impact on the canal and its users to be minimal, but customers may notice an increased flow through this section and there is potential for water levels to fluctuate for a few days.

The towpath will remain open and unaffected.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

Winkwell Swing Bridge 147

Update on 19/01/2023:

Winkwell bridge is now operational and navigation is open

NAVIGATION CLOSURE (1.30pm Thursday 19 January 2023 until further notice)

Navigation is closed at Winkwell Swing Bridge due to a fault. 

Updates to follow when available.

Cyclist warning – thorns on towpath
Starts At: Bridge 107, Three Locks
Ends At: Bridge 110, Sandhole Bridge

ADVICE (9am Tuesday 17 January 2023 until further notice)

Thorns on the towpath from vegetation cut-backs pose a risk to cyclists, take care on this section of the towpath until they have been cleared. 

Banbury Customer Service facility
Sanitary Station, Banbury Lock 29

Update on 19/01/2023:

The blockage of the Elsan unit has been cleared and the facility is now available for use.

ADVICE (3.30pm Saturday 14 January 2023 until further notice)

The Elsan unit at the sanitary station is blocked and currently unavailable for use.

Contractors will attend site to clear the blockage.

Lock 5, Wolverhampton
Up Stream Winding Hole: Junction with the Wyrley & Essington.
Down Stream Winding Hole: Junction with the Staffordshire & Worcester.

NAVIGATION CLOSURE (until 4pm Thursday 9 March 2023)

Update on 13/01/2023:

We are sorry to advise that an amendment is required on this stoppage. The top-end gate will not be ready in time due to manufacturing delays as our Bradley workshop had to close for a period for essential repairs. We plan to complete this stoppage in 2 phases. The first phase started on 03/01/2023 and will now finish on 24/01/2023.

The team then plan to go back to fit the top end gate on 27/02/2023 and this will be completed by 09/03/2023.

There is an ongoing stoppage on this flight of locks from 13/02/2023 until 17/03/2023 between Locks 7 & 8 so the 2^nd phase of these works will tie in which should minimise any disruption to our boating customers.

Original message:

A stoppage is required to carry out replacement of top end single gate & repairs to the bottom end mitre.

We will also be carrying out repair works to the lock ladders, chamber brickwork and lockside.

Bridge 9, Handcocks Swing Bridge

NAVIGATION CLOSURE (12.30pm Friday 13 January until 6pm Saturday 14 January 2023)

Please be advised navigation is closed at Bridge 9, Handcocks Swing Bridge on the Leeds & Liverpool canal due to a mechanical failure.

Our specialist contractors have been to site today, however replacement parts are required. Our contractors are currently sourcing the new parts and will be back onsite tomorrow, Saturday 14 January to continue the repair.

We will endeavour to have the bridge back in operation by 6pm in line with the operating times for this bridge. If we are unable to repair the bridge before 6pm, a further update will be provided.

Police Incident

Galton Bridge, Galton Valley
Up Stream Winding Hole: Smethwick Juction
Down Stream Winding Hole: Spon Lane

Update on 13/01/2023:

Both navigation and towpath now open again.

NAVIGATION CLOSURE (3pm Friday 13 January 2023 until further notice)

There is a police investigation taking place under Galton Bridge on the New Main Line. For public safety, police have had to cordon off 50 metres either side of Galton Bridge.

Navigation and towpath will be closed. We will issue an update as soon as we receive one.

Holliday Street Customer Service Facility

Update on 17/01/2023:

The Elsan is now back open for use.

ADVICE (11am Friday 13 January 2023 until further notice)

The Elsan is blocked and currently out of use.

Please bear with us whilst our contractors resolve the blockage.

Little Venice Pumpout Station

ADVICE (2.30pm Wednesday 11 January 2023 until further notice)

Due to vandalism the pumpout at Little Venice has been rendered unusable.

We will update this notice when out maintenance teams have attended and resolved this issue.

Temporary towpath closure at Little Venice Basin
Starts At: Bridge 3D Westbourne Terrace Turnover Br
Ends At: Bridge 2, Harrow Road Bridge

TOWPATH CLOSURE (8-11am Thursday 12 January 2023)

Please be advised that there is a temporary towpath closure at Little Venice to facilitate removal of operational craft.

There will be a short diversion around the closed section along Warwick crescent.

Preston Brook Tunnel leading to/from the Bridgewater Canal

Update on 17/01/2023:

We are pleased to advise our engineers have completed their inspections and Preston Brook Tunnel on the Trent & Mersey canal has re-opened to navigation.

Update on 13/01/2023:

Preston Brook Tunnel on the Trent & Mersey canal remains closed to navigation until our engineers are satisfied the tunnel can re-open.

Our engineers have been notified and a further update will be provided by Wednesday 18 January.

Update on 12/01/2023:

Our team have assisted with the safe removal of the obstruction within Preston Brook Tunnel on the Trent & Mersey canal, however navigation remains closed until our engineers are satisfied the tunnel can re-open.

A further update will be provided tomorrow afternoon, Friday 13 January.

NAVIGATION CLOSURE (12.45pm Thursday 12 January 2023 until further notice)

Please be advised Preston Brook Tunnel on the Trent & Mersey canal is currently closed to navigation due to an obstruction.  

Our team are on their way to site to assist with the situation.

An update will be provided later this afternoon.