Skip to main content

The charity making life better by water

Closed facilities

Some of our facilities must close temporarily or permanently for various reasons.

Our Customer Service Facilities policy sets out our commitment to provide essential boater facilities. Water points, refuse sites and Elsan should be no more than one day* cruise apart, and pump out machines should be no more than two-day cruise apart*.

Other facilities including showers and toilets are not provided as part of our Customer Service Facilities policy. Where toilets and showers experience breakdown or serious vandalism, they may be closed permanently to the public. Some toilet facilities may be retained at key destinations or for use by colleagues or volunteers. Some facilities may be retained for nearby permanent mooring customers.

*How long a day’s cruise would take will vary depending on the speed of travel and could be affected by weather or other factors. Rather than be specific, we’re proposing that this would normally be between 5-7 hours cruising. Two days cruising would be between 10-14 days cruising.

Permanently closed facilities

North West

NavigationLocationClosure
Shropshire Union Nantwich ServicesShowers
Shropshire UnionChester New ServicesToilets & Showers
Leeds & Liverpool CanalBlackburn ServicesShowers (during darkness)
Leeds & Liverpool CanalFoulridge ServicesToilets & Showers
Leeds & Liverpool CanalJohnsons Hillock ServicesShowers
Trent & Mersey CanalRed Bull ServicesToilets & Showers
Lancaster CanalLancaster CSFToilets & Showers

Yorkshire & North East

NavigationLocationClosure
River OuseNaburn Sanitary Station Men’s Shower
Aire & CalderGoole Sanitary StationToilet
Aire & Calder (Wakefield Branch)Ramsdens CSF (Stanley Ferry)Toilets & Showers
Stainforth & Keadby CanalThorne Sanitary StationShowers
Sheffield & South Yorkshire NavBarnby DunnShowers
Sheffield & South Yorkshire NavEastwood LockShowers

Wales & South West

NavigationLocationClosure
Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal Gilwern ServicesToilets & Showers (All)

West Midlands

NavigationLocationClosure
Dudley No 1 CanalParkhead / Blowers GreenToilets (All facilities)
Shropshire UnionTyrley CSFToilets
Oxford CanalHillmorton CSFToilet
Oxford Canal / Coventry CanalHawkesbury CSFToilet

East Midlands

NavigationLocationClosure
River WithamBoston LockShowers
Fossdyke CanalLincoln Moorings CSFShowers

London & South East

NavigationLocationClosure
Lee NavigationOld Ford Lock CSFToilets (All facilities)

Rubbish and Recycling

Simpler recycling

From Monday 31 March 2025, the government’s new ‘Simpler Recycling’ legislation came into effect, which applies to our customer service facilities. It means most businesses now have to arrange separate collections for different types of waste. So, all our customer service points with waste facilities for boaters will now have to provide separate bins for:

  • Dry recyclables (paper, card, metal and plastics)
  • Glass
  • Food waste
  • General waste

We are reviewing a small number of our waste sites that may not have the space or access required to remain compliant with the Simpler Recycling changes. Where we identify waste sites for closure or relocation, we will list them below and advise the next nearest site. This information will also be added to the relevant locations.

For mor information please visit our rubbish and recycling page.

NavigationLocationFacility ClosedNext nearest facility
Trent & MerseyOakmore CaféRefuse & recyclingAlternative recycling and rubbish sites can be found at Willington and Fradley Junction
West MidlandsWalsall Top LockRefuse & RecyclingWyrley & Essington Canal – Sneyd Wharf (North) or Silver Street (East). Old Main Line – Wolverhampton, Broad Street. Tame Valley Canal – Perry Barr. Dudley Tunnel Branch – Todds End. New Main Line – Engine Arm. Dudley No 2. – Park head (Blowers Green).

Last Edited: 21 July 2025

photo of a location on the canals
newsletter logo

Stay connected

Sign up to our newsletter and discover how we protect canals and help nature thrive