As you are aware, we have been working towards a navigation closure from 3.00pm on Monday 27 July. However, in preparation for this closure, higher than anticipated water demand has been experienced, placing additional pressure on water levels.

To allow water levels to recover as much as possible ahead of the closure, the stretch between Kings Lock and Kibworth will be temporarily closed over the weekend. As a result, the full navigation closure will now commence at 3.00pm on Tuesday 28 July.

A team of Canal & River Trust colleagues will be working along this section of the navigation throughout the weekend to provide assistance and answer any queries from customers.

We will be maximising all available water resources from our reservoirs to support this section of the canal and enable passage between 10.00am and 3.00pm on Monday 27 July and Tuesday 28 July. After 3.00pm on Tuesday 28 July, this section of the navigation will be closed until further notice.

Following a further review, the decision has been made to lock all locks between Kings Lock and Kibworth Lock from 3pm on Monday 27 July.

Navigation between these locks will not be possible, as we cannot guarantee safe water levels for passage. Boaters are strongly encouraged to leave this section before the closure comes into effect, while navigation is still possible.

We have continued to monitor the water levels, but despite our best efforts, the decision has been made to close this section from Tuesday 28th July.

Kings Lock and Kibworth Lock will be locked from 3pm on Monday 27th July. Restricted opening times will remain in place until then.

We would encourage all boaters to move off this stretch while navigation is still possible, however movement in between the locks will still be available.

The situation is being continually monitored and reviewed, and should water levels recover to safe levels, we may revert back to restricted opening times. We will continue to keep customers updated as the situation develops.

Reservoir holdings feeding the Leicester Line are lower than normal for the time of year. This is a result of the prolonged dry weather and challenges with water assets.

To help conserve the remaining water, the restricted opening times are being brought forward and will begin on Monday 13th July.

We're introducing temporary water-saving restrictions between Kibworth Top Lock 18 and Kings Lock 38.

 We want to reassure boaters that water holdings across the canal network are currently healthy. On the Leicester Line, while reservoir levels are higher than they were at this point last year, the combination of water loss through evaporation during the heat wave, and, in some instances, paddles being left open, means we're taking these steps to conserve the available water. We relined the gate at Bush Lock last week (22 June) and are working on more fixes to save water along the stretch.

From Friday 17th July at 3pm we will be restricting passage between Kibworth Top Lock 18 and Kings Lock 38.

Locks will be open from 10am to 3pm daily.

Please note that this means you will not be able to cruise through this section in one day.

Please share locks if you're able and use water carefully, shutting lock gates and paddles after use, to help preserve water. This is more important than ever during prolonged periods of hot and dry weather. If you see that water levels are looking unusually low, please let us know. Our teams actively manage water levels and can carefully refill low pounds, making sure moored boats on other parts of the canal stay safe.

We will continue to monitor the water levels and provide further updates on a regular basis. Restrictions will be removed as soon as soon as it is possible to do so.