Due to prolonged dry weather and ongoing challenges with water resources lower than would normally be expected for this time of year, and in order to help conserve water resources and maintain navigation for as long as possible, we are introducing restricted operating hours between the following locks from Wednesday 29 July 2026:

Between Lock 34, Meaford Top Lock and Lock 28, Yard Lock, the T&M Canal will be closed overnight from 6pm, reopening again at 9am each day.

This restriction will help conserve water and allow the affected section to recover, supporting the sustainability of navigation on the Trent & Mersey Canal and the wider connected canal network.

We appreciate that this may affect planned journeys and apologise for any inconvenience caused. Our teams will continue to monitor conditions closely and we will provide further updates as they become available.

We would like to thank boaters and other waterway users for their patience, understanding and cooperation during this period.