Leeds & Liverpool canal lock flight operating times, 2024
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Detail
| Type | Navigation Restriction |
| Start Date | 3/18/2024, 8:00:00 AM |
| End Date | 11/1/2024, 8:00:00 AM |
| Start Location | Lock 85, Lock 21 |
| Ends Location | Lock 7, Kirkstall Little Lock |
| Towpath Closed | No |
Description
Whilst essential maintenance works continue to reservoirs which supply the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and following the success of the operating times in 2023, operating times on the Lock Flights will be re-implemented on Monday 18th March. These measures will help support a stable water resource over the coming months.
The following lock flights will be open from 10am until 5pm, with last entry at 4pm, daily:
North West:
- Johnsons Hillock Lock Flight (64 to 58)
- Barrowford Lock Flight (51 to 45)
- Greenberfield Lock Flight (44 to 42)
Wigan Lock Flight (86 to 65) will be open from 8am until 5pm, last entry 12pm.
Blackburn Lock Flight (57 to 52) will be open from 10am until 4pm, last entry at 3pm.
The following lock flights will be open from 10am until 5pm, with last entry at 4pm, daily:
Yorkshire & North East:
- Bank Newton Locks (41 to 36)
- Gargrave (Holme Bridge Lock 30)
Bingley 3 & 5 Rise locks.
- Morning
- Passages down the lock flights between 08:00-10:00, last entry at 09:00.
- Passages up the lock flights between 10:00-12:00, last entry at 11:00.
- Afternoon
- Passages down the lock flight between 13:00-15:00, last entry at 14:00.
- Passages up the lock flight between 15:00-17:00, last entry at 16:00.
Newlay, Forge & Kirkstall locks
- Will be available for self-operation between the hours of 08:00 and 16:00 daily. However, there will be roving lock keepers between Leeds & Newlay to offer assistance through the locks if required.
Please note that all locks will be padlocked at 16:00 every evening.
Information for Lock 1, River Lock, Leeds can be found here.
By implementing these operating times, we hope it will allow our customers to plan their journey knowing what to expect over the summer months as our teams continue to work hard to conserve water at every opportunity.
You can help us conserve water by:
- Sharing locks where possible and making the best use of the water available.
- Ensuring paddles are fully closed once they have passed through a lock.
- Aiming for minimal contact when navigating through locks by ensuring gates are fully open as they pass through. Pushing gates open using a boat can damage the gate lining, increasing its leakage.
Our teams will continue to monitor our reservoir holdings throughout the season. Please note, these initial operating times will remain under review and could be subject to change.
Updates
We are pleased to announce that, thanks to recent rainfall and further rain forecast, the reservoirs supplying the Leeds & Liverpool Canal have received enough water to avert the need for a closure.
We will, however, continue to closely monitor our water resources, and the current lock opening times will remain in place to help manage water. Should any changes arise, that could affect navigation, we will promptly provide an update.
Thank you to all our boating customers for your continued patience and support
10/7/2024We are pleased to inform you that, following recent rainfall and further rain predicted, we have reviewed our reservoir holdings and determined that the planned closure of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal on 7th October is no longer necessary.
While the improved conditions have reduced the immediate need for closure, there remains a possibility that one may be required in the future. We will continue to closely monitor our water resources, and current lock opening times will remain in place.
We will provide a further update on 7th October. Thank you to all our boating customers for your continued patience and support.
9/30/2024Following a largely dry September, our reservoir holdings are low and there is a high probability the Leeds & Liverpool Canal between Wigan and Gargrave will need to close for navigation from Monday 7 October to preserve water.
The wet weather we're currently experiencing may help water levels recover faster, and we are keeping a close eye on the situation. Unfortunately, the rainfall over the weekend hasn't significantly improved water levels in the reservoirs in the Leeds & Liverpool Canal's catchment area. We will provide a further update on 30 September.
We hope that, by taking any action to close the canal to navigation early, we will be able to reopen navigation later in October if the water supplies recover sufficiently.
We are investing many £millions carrying out essential maintenance on reservoirs to make sure they continue to comply with the stringent law and remain safe, while ensuring their long-term integrity and the vital water supply they provide to the canal network. While the works are carried out, water levels in some of the summit reservoirs are temporarily 'held down', meaning there is less water than normal available for boating.
In the north, following conversations with hire boat firms and other stakeholders, we introduced shorter opening times in several locations that have been successful in prolonging the supply and maintaining navigation over the summer. However, holdings are now getting particularly low, and the remaining reservoir holdings are needed to protect the canal infrastructure and meet our legal responsibilities to protect the ecology and biodiversity.
We understand what an impact this has on boaters and boating businesses and apologise for the inconvenience and uncertainty that the closure brings. Water holdings will be monitored carefully, and we will always keep the canal open for navigation while it is safe to do so.
9/23/2024