OnTheCut

Perry Barr Lock Flight, Tame Valley Canal 9 June 2025 to 29 August 2025 --  In the West Midlands, we are planning the replacement of 53 gate leaves in 2025/26. This is more than double the number of any other region. We always seek to restrict planned closures to the intensive maintenance period over the winter months. However, in order to fit this volume of new lock gates (and given the finite number of skilled people to undertake this work) we have had to look for lock locations where gates could be replaced outside the normal stoppage period. We have identified the Perry Barr lock Flight on the Tame Valley Canal as a stoppage location which would have the least impact on boating as there are viable alternative routes to get around the closure. We have lock gates that need replacing at locks 3, 7 and 11, plus repairs to make to the gates at Lock 13 included in our programme for the year. During the stoppage we will also be taking the opportunity to undertake other repairs along the lock flight. Alternative routes are available along the Walsall Canal (which we expect to reopen in early June subject to approval from the Environment Agency), the Wyrley & Essington Canal, the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal, as well as the Old and New Main Line Canals. Whilst we don't take a decision to plan closures at this time lightly, it is the best option for getting the most improvements delivered on the canals that we can - and we will of course strive to finish the works as soon as possible and provide progress updates throughout.   Additionally, there will be a further stoppage on the Tame Valley Canal over the winter at Spouthouse Embankment to reline that section of canal and stabilise the embankment.  We have fully explored the option of undertaking the Spouthouse stoppage works concurrently with the Perry Barr closure, but unfortunately that isn't possible due to the significant design, and planning period for the works at Spouthouse. The works at Spouthouse will be delivered by specialist contractors and will be delivered separately. Please look out for the details of the Spouthouse Stoppage when the next phase of the winter stoppage consultation takes place during July 2025.