Following the recent update to the navigation closure notice for the Grand Union, Oxford and Coventry Canals (Grand Union Canal, Oxford Canal & Coventry Canal | Canal & River Trust), assisted passage through the lock for widebeam boats will be available throughout the restricted opening period. Please provide as much notice as possible during the week but weekend passages must be booked by 4pm on the Friday. Assistance can be booked by calling 0303 040 4040 and selecting the option for the East Midlands region or by email [email protected].

Gate replacement is due to take place at this lock during the winter stoppage programme, more information about this stoppage can be found here Lock 7, Top Lock

The navigation is currently closed due to the drought and details of this closure can be found here Grand Union Canal

Should the water situation recover sufficiently to allow us to open the navigation prior to the winter works start date, assisted passage through the lock for widebeam boats will be available. Please provide as much notice as possible during the week but weekend passages must be booked by 4pm on the Friday. Assistance can be booked by calling 0303 040 4040 and selecting the option for the East Midlands region or by email [email protected].

We are still awaiting a start date for this planned work. We will update this notice as soon as we have further information.

We have confirmation that the fabricator will be on site next week and will update this notice once we have more information on the planned work to repair the Lock.     In the meantime assisted passage is offered to wide beam boats, seven days a week. Please provide as much notice as possible during the week but weekend passages must be booked by 4pm on the Friday.   

Assistance can be booked by calling 0303 040 4040 and selecting the option for the East Midlands region or by email [email protected].

Further to our previous update, a contractor will be attending site this week to assess the damage and provide timescales for the work to be completed.  

Assisted passage through the Lock remains in place for widebeam boats.  

The work is expected to be completed within two to four weeks and we will update this notice with further information when available.

Further to our earlier update, on Friday 6th June an Engineer will be inspecting the damage and preparing an assessment of the work required to repair the lock gate. In the interim period assisted passage is offered to widebeam boats, seven days a week. Please provide as much notice as possible during the week but weekend passages must be booked by 4pm on the Friday. Assistance can be booked by calling 0303 040 4040 and selecting the option for the East Midlands region or by email [email protected]. This notice will be updated again once we have more information on the timeframe for the repair.

Updated review date, to follow the update text below.

An initial inspection has been made but further assessment is required before we can determine the scope of work required, until this has happened this restriction remains in place.

The towpath side top gate on Long Buckby Lock 7 has been damaged by a boat and should not be operated.

This means that the lock is restricted to narrowboat passage only.  We are considering arrangements for assisted passage for widebeam boats and will update this notice early next week with the details.