From 12:30 pm on Wednesday 30 July 2025, the Wolverhampton Lock Flight will be closed to navigation until sufficient rainfall replenishes our reservoirs.

This measure is necessary to protect vital water resources on the Wolverhampton Level, which supports several other parts of the Birmingham Canal Navigations.

Please refer to the closure notice for further details.

Please be advised that the passage times through the Wolverhampton Lock Flight have been revised.

New operating hours:

• 8:30am – 12:30pm (daily)

These amended hours are now in effect. We kindly ask all boaters to plan their journeys accordingly.

We have continued to monitor the exceptionally dry conditions and their impact on our reservoirs. Unfortunately, despite all operational efforts to reduce water demand, rainfall remains well below the long-term average, and the situation has not improved.

To help conserve water, from Wednesday 9th July we will be introducing restrictions across canals in the Birmingham area. This will affect Ryders Green, Hatton & Wolverhampton Lock Flight.

Restriction Details for Wolverhampton Lock Flight:

• Daily Operating Hours: Navigation will be open from 10am - 3pm.
• Last Entry Time: The last boat entry will be permitted at 1:30pm.

How You Can Help

• Share locks where possible
• Wait for other boats before locking through
• Avoid unnecessary use of water
• Ensure paddles and gates are fully closed after use

For further guidance, please refer to the Thrift Code - a set of simple actions boaters can take to save water.

We appreciate that these restrictions may cause inconvenience, and our priority remains to reopen full navigation as soon as possible. We sincerely thank you for your patience and support in protecting our precious water resources. Please navigate with care and consideration during this period, especially when delays or queues occur, to ensure everyone's safety.

Please be aware that in extreme local circumstances, immediate temporary closures of some stretches may be necessary to protect the network.

If you notice any leaks or water-related concerns, please report them to us directly via 0303 040 4040 or email [email protected]