Boaters' Update 6 Nov 2026

Our new "Since the last edition" round-up highlights five navigations reopening, ongoing storm recovery work, customer facility updates, and the start of winter works at 34 locations across the network. Elsewhere, we've announced £1.3 million of additional investment in 16 water-saving projects to improve drought resilience and help protect navigation. This edition also includes an insider's guide to this winter's £62 million works programme, practical advice for staying safe and warm afloat, guidance on Smoke Control Areas, and a Boat Safety Scheme survey on lithium-ion batteries. Plus, Ellesmere Yard has secured £4.5 million to support its future.

What’s changed on the cut since the last edition?

Key themes at a glance

• Storm recovery continues: Several fallen trees cleared, restoring navigation on the Oxford Canal, River Lee and Calder & Hebble Navigation, while some restrictions remain due to contractor backlogs.

• Five navigations reopened:

  • Cossington Lock 48 on the River Soar.
  • Bridge 15 on the Peak Forest Canal.
  • Winkwell Swingbridge on the Grand Union Canal.
  • Bridges 33–34, Hartshill on the Coventry Canal.
  • Watford Lock Flight, which reopened for restricted passage.

• £1.3 million invested in 16 additional water-saving projects this winter: Informed by lessons from recent droughts, the works include repairing leaks, lock gates, paddles and feeders, helping to save water, improve its movement across the network, and reduce the need for operational measures. More on this below.

• Water resource management: South Oxford Canal and Foxton Lock Flight remain subject to drought-related restrictions and closures.

• Customer facilities: Willington Elsan reopened, but outages reported at Batchworth water point and Elsan and Little Venice pump-out.

• Winter works programme now underway: 34 locations across the network now have temporary closures to accommodate projects. Watch an insider’s view below.

• Planned third-party works and events: Braunston Tunnel widebeam passages, bridge inspections and organised events may cause short delays.

• Progress on the breached Llangollen Canal: With investigations, surveys and design work now complete and reconstruction well advanced. The canal remains on track to reopen ahead of Easter 2027. More on this below.

What could affect your journey this weekend

Our summary  highlights some of the main changes across the network since the last edition. As always, before setting off, we recommend checking the latest stoppage notices for your route and surrounding waterways.

You can view all current notices for this weekend on our interactive map and you can sign up for personalised alerts. If you have a question about a particular stoppage or spot something that doesn't look quite right on the network, please get in touch. We're always happy to help.

An insider's view of this winter's £62 million works programme

Earlier this week our winter stoppage programme got underway. With 119 projects planned and £62 million being invested across the network this winter, there's a huge amount of work taking place behind the scenes to improve navigation for boaters and to maintain vital infrastructure.

In this detailed presentation, Dean Davies, Head of Direct Services, shares an insider's view of how the winter works programme is developed, prioritised and delivered. Drawing on more than a decade’s worth of experience overseeing lock gate replacements and major engineering projects, Dean explains the planning, skills and expertise needed to carry out complex works across the network, the challenges teams face along the way, and how the winter works programme may evolve in the years ahead.

Watch the full presentation below.

Your first winter afloat: fuel, safety and emergency planning

For many boaters, winter can bring a new set of challenges. Shorter days, lower temperatures, ice, flooding and increased demand for fuel all require a little extra planning. In the first part of our winter boating guide, we look at how to stay warm, stay safe and make sure you're prepared if the weather takes a turn for the worse. Thank you to all the boaters who helped contribute to this article.

Stay stocked up

Keeping warm through the winter starts with making sure your heating system is safe, well maintained and working properly. Just as importantly, you'll need a reliable supply of fuel.

Boaters with space to store fuel often stock up during the summer, but many cruising boaters need to rely on fuel boats and local suppliers throughout the winter.

Whether you're using solid fuel or another form of heating, make sure you understand current regulations about what can and cannot be burned, particularly if you're travelling through Smoke Control Areas (more on this below).

Plan ahead for fuel deliveries

Don't wait until you're running low on fuel. If you rely on fuel boats, keep an eye on their schedules and order in advance whenever possible.

Many fuel boat operators provide updates by email, text message or social media and some can even deliver while you're away from your boat. Most also accept bank transfers, although it's always worth including your boat name and index number in the payment reference.

Giving suppliers plenty of notice helps ensure they have sufficient stock available and allows them to plan deliveries efficiently. If you're expecting a delivery, make sure there is a clear and safe area where fuel can be unloaded.

When the water freezes

Even fuel boats can become trapped during prolonged periods of freezing weather, so it's important to keep enough fuel on board to get through a cold spell.

Some suppliers may be able to make deliveries by road, conditions permitting, but it's always better to plan ahead. If you're stocking up, avoid storing excessive amounts of fuel on your roof, as this can affect stability and reduce visibility when cruising.

Keeping an eye on the weather forecast is always a good idea in the winter so that you can be prepared and stocked up before extreme weather hits. If waterways freeze, think carefully before moving your boat. Travelling through ice can damage your own boat and those moored nearby, particularly vessels with wooden or fibreglass hulls. Ice can also vary significantly from place to place, so a section of waterway that appears clear may be frozen a short distance ahead.

Stay safe on board

Whatever method you use to heat your boat, safety must always come first.

Make sure you have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms fitted and test them regularly. Carbon monoxide alarms are now a requirement in cabin spaces as part of the Boat Safety Scheme requirements.

If you use a solid fuel stove, make sure you understand how to operate it safely and always close it down correctly overnight and never keep your warm ash bucket inside as it will still be emitting carbon monoxide. If you're unfamiliar with solid fuel heating, take time to read the Boat Safety Scheme's guidance. It could save your life.

Prepare for severe weather

Winter weather can sometimes leave boaters temporarily cut off by snow, ice or flooding, making it difficult to access shops and services.

Preparation isn't just about having enough fuel, drinking water and empty toilet tanks. It's also important to keep a sensible supply of food on board, particularly items with a long shelf life.

Remember that tins, bottled drinks and other provisions can be surprisingly heavy to transport from the nearest shop, especially during poor weather. Planning ahead can save a lot of inconvenience later.

If you rely on prescription medication, make sure you have enough supplies available and consider keeping a reserve where appropriate.

Top winter tips

Prepare before the cold weather arrives. Having sufficient fuel, food, drinking water and working safety alarms in place before a cold snap can make all the difference.

Staying warm and legal: what boaters need to know about Smoke Control Areas

As the weather turns colder and stoves across the network are lit for the winter, it's worth making sure you understand the rules around Smoke Control Areas.

Many urban waterways pass through Smoke Control Areas, where restrictions are in place to help improve air quality by reducing smoke pollution. While this doesn't mean you can't use a stove on your boat, it does affect the type of fuel you can burn and how you operate your appliance.

What is a Smoke Control Area?

Smoke Control Areas are designated by local authorities to help reduce air pollution. If your boat is moored or travelling within one of these areas, you must take care not to emit excessive smoke from your chimney.

Can I still use a solid fuel stove?

Yes. Many boaters safely and legally use solid fuel stoves throughout the winter.

The key is to use approved fuels and operate your stove correctly. Burning unsuitable fuels or using a stove incorrectly can result in excessive smoke, causing nuisance to neighbours and potentially leading to enforcement action.

Choose the right fuel

Before purchasing fuel, check that it is suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas and follow the manufacturer's guidance for both the fuel and your stove.

Using the correct fuel can also help your stove burn more efficiently, keep your flue cleaner and reduce maintenance requirements.

Be considerate to others

Smoke can be particularly noticeable in marinas, basins and popular visitor moorings where boats are close together.

Regular stove maintenance, good ventilation and correct operation will help minimise smoke emissions and keep your boat safe.

Find out more

If you're unsure whether you're travelling through a Smoke Control Area, or which fuels are appropriate for your stove, check the latest guidance before winter sets in.

Lithium-ion batteries on boats: help shape future safety advice

Lithium-ion batteries (including LiFePO4 and LFP) are becoming increasingly common on boats, powering everything from mobile phones and laptops to e-bikes, e-scooters and onboard electrical systems.

To better understand how these batteries are being used across the boating community, the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) has commissioned an independent, anonymous survey and is encouraging boaters to take part.

Whether you hire a boat occasionally, use your own craft for leisure, or live aboard full-time, your experiences will help the BSS develop future safety guidance and educational materials for boaters.

When used and maintained correctly, lithium-ion batteries are generally safe. However, damaged or poorly managed batteries can present a fire risk, making it important that safety advice keeps pace with changing technology and boating habits.

The survey takes around 15 minutes to complete and is open until 31 December. The BSS is aiming to gather responses from a wide range of boat users across the UK. Participants can also choose to enter a prize draw to win one of ten £50 shopping vouchers.

Find out more

The BSS has already published guidance covering:

• Installed lithium-ion batteries
• Large portable lithium-ion batteries
• Small lithium-ion powered devices

Have your say

Complete the survey here: Take the lithium-ion battery survey

Historic Ellesmere Yard secures £4.5 million Lottery funding

Plans to secure the future of one of the canal network's most historic working yards have taken a major step forward after Ellesmere Yard was awarded £4.54 million by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players.

The funding will support delivery of the Forging Ahead project at Ellesmere Yard on the Llangollen Canal, helping to preserve more than 200 years of continuous operation while opening up more of the site for people to enjoy.

A unique part of canal history

Built in 1806, Ellesmere Yard was originally the office and workshops of the Ellesmere Canal Company. Today, it remains an important operational base for Trust teams maintaining the waterway network.

The project will see historic buildings repaired and brought back into use, alongside the creation of spaces for community activities, heritage interpretation, and independent heritage crafts and businesses. The aim is to celebrate the people, skills and stories that have shaped the yard while ensuring it continues to play an active role in the future.

Protecting a working yard

The project has been shaped by feedback from local residents, businesses and partners during an earlier development phase.

Ian Lane, head of operational partnerships & fundraising, said: "For more than 200 years, Ellesmere Yard has been a place where people work to keep our canals running. It remains an important operational base for our teams today, and protecting that role is central to Forging Ahead."

Looking ahead

As work progresses, there will be opportunities for local people to become involved and help shape the next chapter in the story of this nationally significant canal site.

Investing in a more drought-resilient network

After two challenging summers, we're bringing forward 16 additional winter projects designed to help keep more water in the network and improve its resilience during dry weather.

The work sits alongside our existing winter programme of 136 lock gate replacements and other essential maintenance. It includes tackling significant leaks, repairing lock gates and paddles, improving feeder channels, and upgrading structures that help move water to where it's needed most.

The projects stretch from the Lancaster Canal to the Kennet & Avon Canal, with planned improvements on waterways including the Shropshire Union, Leeds & Liverpool, Grand Union, Trent & Mersey, Huddersfield Narrow and Oxford canals.

By reducing water loss and improving supplies from reservoirs and feeders, the programme will help us manage water more effectively, reduce the need for interventions such as overnight lock closures, and better protect navigation during future periods of drought.

While no 200-year-old canal network can be made drought-proof, these targeted investments will help strengthen some of the areas that experienced the greatest challenges this summer, with work being carried out alongside our wider winter maintenance programme.