Due to an asset failure and ongoing water resource concerns, a navigation restriction will be in place on the Caldon Canal from 8.00am on Friday 17 July 2026.

Passage will be restricted to customers who need to enter or exit the southern section of the Caldon Canal for essential purposes only. Anyone wishing to pass through Hazelhurst Locks (10, 11 and 12) or Cheddleton Locks (13 and 14) should contact West Midlands Customer Services to arrange passage. This process has been put in place to enable essential navigation movements whilst helping to conserve water supplies.

Customers can contact us by:

• Email: [email protected]

• Telephone: 0303 040 4040

The restriction has been introduced to help manage water resources and protect the canal network while investigations and mitigation measures continue. The situation will be reviewed weekly, with the next review taking place on Monday 20 July.

We will continue to closely monitor water levels and the condition of the network. Should conditions deteriorate further, it may become necessary to implement a full navigation closure from 1 August 2026. At this stage, no decision has been made to close the navigation and every effort will be made to maintain access for essential movements.