Man, steam and electric. Those were the three eras of lock gate manufacture. A fourth can now be added – computer (no, not AI!).
We're investing in new technology at our lock gate workshop in the West Midlands that will allow us to increase production of lock gates to keep up with the demand for replacement gates across the network.
The new custom-built CNC machine will be the largest of its type in the UK – and the third largest in Europe – to allow for the size and scale of the bespoke oak lock gates.
Largest CNC in UK
Built by specialist fabricators in Europe, the ‘computer numerically controlled’ machine is expected to be delivered to our Bradley-based workshop early next year. It replaces largely obsolete machinery dating back 60-70 years and will enable our two workshops to increase production incrementally to around 190 lock gate leaves every year, up from around 150 lock gate leaves at present.
Simon Turner, workshops manager, comments: “The arrival of new computer-based technology to help our craftspeople produce lock gates is the biggest update in our workshops since electric machinery superseded steam-powered machinery which, in turn, superseded the hand tools used by the original canal builders.
A lock gate being made at our Bradley Workshop
Bow wave of new lock gates
“The canal network has a bow wave of new lock gates needed in the years ahead including, for example, replacing the many gates installed as part of the canal restorations around the Millenium that are now nearing the end of their working life. This investment in production will allow us to keep up with that demand, with the new machine able to precision cut the oak components needed to make the gates quickly and efficiently.”
The investment of c£750,000 was brought forward by the workshop team under our ‘Spend to Save’ scheme, where investment is made today to deliver future efficiency.
We have two lock gate workshops, at Bradley in the West Midlands and Stanley Ferry in Yorkshire. The smaller lock gates leaves found across much of the network are mostly built at Bradley, whilst Stanley Ferry has the lifting capacity to also make the network’s largest gates - normally found on larger river navigations. The new CNC machine will be based at Bradley but will cut component parts for both sites. The workshop teams will continue their skilled work to hand assemble and finish the lock gate leaves.
Help us fix the things important to you
With more boats taking to the waterways as summer approaches, we’re renewing our pledge to do more to tackle the issues most important to boaters and encourage those out on the cut to report faulty paddles, spots that need more dredging, and places with overgrown vegetation amongst others.
You can use the Contact Us form on our website to share your knowledge. A Boater App, which will enable you to quickly and easily report faults, is in development, with testing planned for summer.
By working together, we can prioritise the increased spend we’re planning in 2026 and beyond on the areas that matter most to you. Alongside our multi-million-pound engineering programme that keeps canals navigable, we’ve committed to spend more on these day-to-day tasks – including an additional £10 million allocated across 2025 and 2026.
In the last 12 months (1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026), we have:
Repaired 323 broken paddles, including 89% of newly occurring paddle faults within four weeks. This has seen the backlog of broken paddles fall by 70%. As underwater mechanisms in constant use, paddles are vulnerable and can cause disruption to boaters when they break. By tackling the backlog, fixing all new paddle faults within four weeks, and carrying out more preventative maintenance, we aim to reduce these issues.
Cleared 1,270 trees and has committed to removing fallen trees that are blocking navigation within 48 hours where possible. We have carried out tree surveys across the network, and more proactive work will take place after the nesting season has finished.
Stepped up grass cutting in areas that are important for boating. Over 15,000km of grass has been mown, focusing on access and safety for boaters with nine cuts at locks, landings and mooring sites.
Building on last year’s work, this spring and early summer our teams and volunteers will be greasing locks and moving bridges and keeping them cleared of grass and weeds. They’ll also be checked for usability and safety, with light repairs carried out wherever possible. This preventative maintenance should help reduce the need for repairs later in the season.
There will also be continued commitment to tackling sunken boats, which can cause obstacles for navigation. Although primarily the responsibility of the boat owner and their insurers, as the navigation authority with a responsibility to all licence holders, we will identify all known sunken boats and develop a prioritised plan to remove them, starting with the higher risk cases and those that can be removed quickly. Abandoned boats can reflect the challenges some boaters face and our welfare team is there to help those who are struggling.
Alongside these practical tasks to make cruising smoother, we are investing in the essential services that support boating.
Over the past year, 78% of damaged water points, Elsan and pump-outs were fixed on the first visit, with a new aim set for a repair team to arrive onsite within 24 hours of notification. There is an ongoing programme to standardise facilities and replace obsolete parts, making future maintenance faster and more efficient.
Work will also continue to improve waste management at busy sites. Last year 91% of bins were emptied on time and 90% of our bin sites were made compliant with Simpler Recycling. More work will be done on helping to reduce overflowing bins and to tackle fly-tipping, which caused 5.9% of bin collections to be missed. Please let us know when there’s a problem so missed collections or overflowing bins can be swiftly investigated and rectified.
Outside the additional £10 million investment, we are planning to increase the amount of dredging carried out and prioritise work to fix leaks and save water. We already invest several millions in dredging every year, £6.8 million in 2024/25, with high demand across the network.
Matthew Symonds, head of boating and customer service, said: “Boaters have been clear about what matters most: reliable infrastructure, well-maintained navigation and facilities they can depend on. We’re focusing our efforts on those areas, so that boating feels easier and more enjoyable across the network.
“We’ve made a solid start with the improvements introduced last year and, while we know there is still some way to go, we are determined to keep building on that progress. By investing more in preventative maintenance, responding more quickly to issues and being transparent about how we’re performing, we want boaters to see and feel the difference.
“Our canals are over 250 years old and require constant care, but with the right focus and continued collaboration with boaters, we can ensure they remain open, navigable and thriving long into the future.”
Camlas Sir Fynwy a Brycheiniog
Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal
This year marks the 230th anniversary of the opening of the mainline of the Mon & Brec. I say ‘mainline’ because it took some time to reach its current form.
It actually started life as two separate canals: the Brecknock & Abergavenny Canal, and the Monmouthshire Canal. The 35-mile navigable section seen today is mostly the former. In the 1790s, the Monmouthshire Canal Company received its Act of Parliament whilst the Brecknock & Abergavenny was still being planned.
Despite the competitiveness of the canal-mania years, the two companies saw mutual benefit in linking the two at Pontymoile. The Monmouthshire Canal (including a branch from Malpas to Crumlin), was opened in 1799 with the Brecknock & Abergavenny extending from Brecon to Gilwern by 1800, finally reaching Pontymoile by 1812.
In the main, the Welsh canals were constructed along narrow valleys, where the terrain prevented the construction of branches or arms to serve the industries along their routes. However they had the advantage that their enabling acts of Parliament showed the foresight to allow tramways to be constructed,(via compulsory purchase of the land), as if the tramway was part of the canal itself.
Drawbridge on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal - credit John Jones
Both canals were therefore supported by horsedrawn tramroads that were used to bring coal, limestone and iron ore from the hillsides. The canal played a significant part in our industrial heritage, connecting tramroads to the iron works in Blaenavon and to the forges at Garnddyrys. Coal traffic rose from 3,500 tons in 1796 to 150,000 tons in 1809.
Though originally constructed to transport coal, lime and agricultural products the canal was used extensively by ironmasters and industrialists as their main transport network. The raw iron ore came up the canal from Newport to Llanfoist Wharf, by tramroads to the iron works before returning back with trams loaded with iron, the finished product. Remains of this heritage such as wharfs and lime kilns can still be viewed along the canal today.
The Blaenavon area and a section of the canal were granted World Heritage status in 2000 in recognition of its historical significance.
In 1880 the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canals were taken over by the Great Western Railway. No prizes for guessing what happened next. Within 35 years, commercial carrying had all but ceased.
Restoration
Throughout the 20th century various parts of the Monmouthshire Canal and its Crumlin Arm were filled in for road construction. The line was all but obliterated through Cwmbran and was effectively unnavigable further north. This beautiful part of our canal network came close to disappearing altogether, but vigorous campaigning by canal enthusiasts heralded a new dawn for the canal, when in 1968 restoration work from Brecon to Pontymoile began in earnest.
Recent developments have included a complete regeneration of the terminus at Brecon, and various works to reclaim the navigation between Pontymoile and Newport. Part of the Crumlin Arm has also been restored, and the Fourteen Locks Canal Centre is open seven days a week.
I’ve included the maximum boat dimensions below but, as mentioned, the Mon & Brec is not connected to the rest of the network so you could transport your boat by road, particularly if you’ve just bought a mooring on the canal, . Most boaters probably just want to experience the tranquillity and beauty and tick another thing off their bucket list. If that sounds like you then you could consider hiring a boat for a short period – there are plenty of options!
Maximum boat dimensions for the Mon & Brec
Length 16.76m / 55ft
Width 2.59m / 8ft 5"
Draught 0.75m / 2ft 6"
Headroom 1.8m / 5ft 9"
You’re catered for at Crick Boat Show
As you’ll have read in the last edition, Crick Boat Show is the place to go if you want to learn, for example, more about emerging boat technologies or sustainable boating. Of course, you’ll be wearing through plenty of shoe leather as you explore the Show Village and Marina.
After all these exertions, you’ll want a place to relax and kickback. Crick Boat Show offers that too. You may find yourself reclining on the grassy bank of the marina as you people-watch but it’s not the only option – c’mon this is Crick!
For starters there’s the VIP Marquee for Waterways World subscribers and IWA members (and, well, VIPs!). It’s a quiet space to relax and purchase lighter bites, salads, savouries, homemade cakes and a selection of teas and coffees.
Towards the other end of the scale is the Real Ale and Cider Festival hosted in The Crick Tavern. Here you’ll find a choice of cask ales from six breweries, as well as ciders, perries and gins.
From early afternoon this is where you’ll also find the Crick Music Festival. With an eclectic mix of artists, there’s something for everyone. If you still find yourself in The Crick Tavern come evening time, you’ll be in for a treat.
Saturday evening is dedicated to ‘Women Who Rock’. First up is the world’s only all-female Slade tribute band, Slady, who’ve been dubbed the ‘most authentic’ and ‘best tribute’ to Slade, and will be bringing their foot-stomping 70s sound.
Afterwards, keep on the glitter and feather boas as you enjoy Blondied, the UK’s leading tribute to Debbie Harry and Blondie. They went down a storm when they headlined Crick Music Festival back in 2016 and are the closest you’ll get to the real thing.
All the learning (as mentioned in the last edition), interspersed with dancing and singing is going to need some sustenance. This is where the Food & Craft Marquee and The Crick Snug (evenings) come in.
In the former you’ll find everything from homemade Afro-Caribbean pasties through to cheese and brownies (there’s a meal right there!). In The Crick Snug, early evening, you’ll be able to sit down and treat yourself to some traditional British fayre such as pie and mash.
Also remember that there are free boat trips and a whole array of historical boats on display, so it’s advisable to plan your day in advance so that your visit to Crick Boat Show delivers whatever you need!
Sponsored by Haven Knox-Johnston, the show returns to Crick Marina, near Daventry, over the Late May Bank Holiday weekend, 23–25 May 2026. The show’s exclusive Trade & Preview Day on Friday 22 May offers the chance to have quieter and more in-depth discussions with boat builders and brokers.
Maintenance, repair and restoration work this weekend
As someone who’s out on, or by, the water more often than most, you’ll know that there are times when we need to fix things that unexpectedly break.
When this does happen, or we have to unexpectedly repair something, we get notices up on to our website as soon as we can – it’s always best to have a scan while you’re planning your cruise and also just before you set off. You can find out how to get stoppage notification alerts on your smartphone in this article.
Follow this link to see where navigations are shut this weekend.
If you have any questions about a specific closure, or spot an error in our system, please get in touch.
Bits & Bobs – Tell us what you want fixed next winter
Winter stoppage programme consultation
As promised in the last edition, here’s reminder that the winter stoppage consultation is now open. In this first phase you have until 29 May to give us your views on our proposals. After that we’ll review all that’s been sent in and, where necessary, adapt our proposals.
Then, from 29 June, we’ll have another round of consultation where you’ll be able to send in your thoughts.
As I’m doing now, I’ll mention the future mile
Last Edited: 8 May 2026
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