OnTheCut

The planned completion date for reopening the canal is now Friday 20th June. To support this revised timeline, our team will be working over the weekend of 14th June to help maintain progress. To ensure public safety during the final phase of works, contractors have requested a temporary navigation restriction during the rebuilding of the quadrant and reinstatement of the towpath. From 20th to 27th June, navigation through Lock 40 will be permitted between 8am and 5pm only. Outside of these hours, the lock will be closed. This restriction is necessary to protect boaters from potential hazards within the active construction area. We appreciate your continued patience and understanding as we work to complete these essential repairs safely and efficiently. Further updates will be provided as the project progresses.

We want to inform our customers that an extension to the ongoing works at Wilmcote Lock 40 is necessary. Some unexpected issues were uncovered during the project, which have led to changes in the design and a revised completion date of 26th June 2025. These changes include: * Adding additional anchor supports between the lock wall and surrounding steel sheets. * Replacing a severely corroded steel fitting (quoin) that broke during removal. * Switching from stone to poured concrete behind the brick wall to improve structural strength. With these changes in progress, we expect the new lock gate to be installed by 20th June. After that, we'll begin removing the temporary scaffolding and dams, aiming to reopen the navigation by 26th June 2025. We understand this extension will be disappointing and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience. Please be assured that we're doing everything possible to complete the repairs safely and efficiently. We will provide another update on or before Friday 6th June.

We would like to provide an update on the ongoing works at Wilmcote. Our contractors remain on schedule to complete the lock repairs and reopen navigation by 16th June 2025. Work is progressing well. The wall takedown is advancing as planned and is on track for completion by 15th May. Additionally, the new lock gate has been made, and arrangements are underway for its collection from our workshops at Bradley. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to reopen the lock as quickly and safely as possible. A further update will be provided on or before Friday 23rd May.

Our contractors are on site and they are on course to complete their temporary works, including; Installation of temporary dams, trackway, towpath closure, fencing, propping of the lock and scaffolding. Unfortunately, it has become clear that the work required is more involved than originally thought, including the replacement of the lock gates and the relocation of a local BT telegraph pole and this has extended the programmed completion. We understand the disruption this closure is having so we are accelerating the work as much as possible including weekend working. Our revised reopening is 16th June 2025. We appreciate your patience and will keep you updated as progress continues. This notice was originally posted on an old system which has now been upgraded, the original description and latest update have been transferred here. To view any historical updates related to this notice, please click [here](https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/30677-navigation-closure-lock-40-wilmcote-top-lock-south-stratford-canal).

Please be advised that navigation is currently closed at Wilmcote Top Lock on the South Stratford Canal. We have received reports from boating customers regarding an issue with one of the gates at Lock 40, which has been thoroughly investigated. The bottom gate has suffered a loss of support from its anchor and a detachment of the quoin, rendering the gate inoperable. As a result, the gate is fouling on the lock invert and is at risk of detachment, posing a safety concern. We are investigating how we can deliver the required repairs and we will provide updates on a weekly basis. In the meantime, the towpath will remain open but will be temporarily closed and diverted onto an adjacent footpath during repair works. We will provide the next update on Friday 31st January.