OnTheCut

Following multiple customer concerns about the operation of Lock 2 Hack Green on the Shropshire Union Canal, the Trust's engineers have recently carried out a further inspection. This lock is scheduled for repair during the 2024/25 Winter stoppage programme, but it has deteriorated rapidly over recent weeks, leaking excessively, and making it difficult to operate. As a result of these difficulties and after further consultation with customers, we've made the difficult decision to intervene now with emergency repairs to avoid the risk of further deterioration or failure that may then require more extensive work during the busiest time of the year for our boating customers.

Our teams plan to start on-site at 9am on, 24 June, completing the emergency repairs by 3 July. With extended working hours and increased resources to ensure that the closure is as short as possible.

During the works, our teams will need to install flexible dams to make the area safe for work, these take time to install and test. Once the area is safe, our specialist teams will begin replacing all the timber liners, which are used to create seals when the gates are closed.

Keeping the closure to a minimum is our priority so our teams will return during the winter stoppage programme to complete the remaining work at lock 2 as well as planned works at lock 1.

We're very sorry for any disruption you may experience as a result of these works. We understand how disruptive stoppages are outside of the stoppage season. This has also been made clear from the feedback we received from customers and boating business operators.

If you have any further questions about the works, or alternative routes you can contact us on 03030 404040 and select the North West region to speak to one of our regional team.