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Waterway Notices / Lock 7 Footbridge

Navigation Restriction beginning 19 June 2026 at 12:20 at Lock 7, Rufford Lock.

This is a live notice. Please check the Canal & River Trust website for the latest information. View on Canal & River Trust website.

Summary

TypeNavigation Restriction
Start Date19 June 2026 at 12:20
End DateOngoing
Start LocationLock 7, Rufford Lock
Ends LocationLock 7, Rufford Lock

Updates

7 September 2026 at 15:37

Since our last update, we can confirm that the workboat required to undertake the footbridge repairs is now available. The team is currently completing the necessary planning and safety assessments of the installation of the replacement footbridge.

We anticipate that works to install the new footbridge will commence within the next three weeks.

However, the offside paddle at Lock 7 cannot be operated by wide beam vessels and use of Lock 7 is restricted to narrowboats only.

A further update will be provided on or before Monday 28 September.

24 August 2026 at 12:06

Lock 7 footbridge on the Rufford Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal remains closed due to the deterioration to the footbridge making it unsafe to use. The offside paddle at Lock 7 cannot be operated by wide beam vessels, therefore, use of Lock 7 is restricted to narrowboats only.

Unfortunately, repairs have been delayed as our maintenance team is awaiting availability of a workboat, which is still being utilised on another priority job. Once the workboat is available, the team will attend site and undertake the planned repair works

.A further update will be provided on or before Monday, 7 September.

10 August 2026 at 13:37

Lock 7 footbridge on the Rufford Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal remains closed to all users due to a deterioration to the footbridge making it unsafe to use.

The offside paddle at Lock 7 cannot be operated by wide beam vessels, therefore, Lock 7 is restricted to narrowboats only. 

Our team has been delayed attending site due to high priority works we are facing at the moment across the network and will attend site as soon as a workboat is available which is required to facilitate the repairs.

As soon as the workboat becomes available our team will attend and complete the repairs.

A further update will be provided on or before Monday, 24 August.

27 July 2026 at 12:44

Lock 7 footbridge on the Rufford Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal remains closed to all users due to a deterioration to the footbridge making it unsafe to use.

The offside paddle at Lock 7 can not be operated by wide beam vessels therefore Lock 7 is restricted to narrowboats only. 

Our reactive maintenance team are currently awaiting the return of their workboat, which is being utilised on another priority job.

Once available, the team will be able to attend site and undertake the planned repair works

A further update will be provided on or before Monday, 10 August.

13 July 2026 at 14:06

Lock 7 footbridge on the Rufford Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal remains closed to all users due to a deterioration to the footbridge making it unsafe to use.

The offside paddle at Lock 7 can not be operated by wide beam vessels therefore Lock 7 is restricted to narrowboats only.

Unfortunately, our reactive maintenance team is currently awaiting the return of their workboat, which is being utilised on another priority job. Once the workboat is available, the team will be able to attend site and undertake the planned repair works.

A further update will be provided on or before Monday, 27 July.

3 July 2026 at 14:51

Lock 7 footbridge on the Rufford Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal remains closed to all users due to a deterioration to the footbridge making it unsafe to use.

The offside paddle at Lock 7 can not be operated by wide beam vessels therefore Lock 7 is restricted to narrowboats only.

Unfortunately, planned repair works have been delayed due to the required resources being used on another priority job.

A further update will be provided on or before Monday, 13 July.

19 June 2026 at 12:19

Lock 7 footbridge on the Rufford Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal is closed to all users due to a deterioration to the footbridge making it unsafe to use.

The offside paddle at Lock 7 can not be operated by wide beam vessels therefore Lock 7 is restricted to narrowboats only.

Our teams are in the process of scheduling the replacement footbridge. However, due to other priority works, we are unable to confirm a date at this time. Further information will be provided on or before Friday, 3 July.

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