Descriptions
Update 15 July 2025, 4:45pm
We have continued to monitor the exceptionally dry conditions, and the impact on our reservoirs. Unfortunately, despite all our operational efforts to reduce the demand for water, as rainfall has remained well below the long-term average the situation has not improved. To help us conserve water and maintain safe navigation, we will be introducing some additional measures to those we announced on 17 June and 07 July. Starting Tuesday 21 July, we will be adjusting lock operations as follows:
- Locks will be open from 10am to 3pm, with last boat in at 2.15pm
We have also made the difficult decision to temporarily close the Leicester Line (Grand Union Canal) from Watford Lock 1 to Kings Lock 38, to navigation, effective from Tuesday 29 July 2025 at 4pm. Further information about this planned closure can be found here From Watford Lock 1 to Kings Lock 38 | Canal & River Trust. We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates if conditions change. Despite the measures we're taking, there may be extreme local circumstances that require us to take immediate action to temporarily close some stretches to navigation.
We understand that this continues to be disappointing news, and our priority is to reopen the canal to full navigation as soon as possible. We thank you for your support in reducing water use across our network, and reporting leaks or concerns via 0303 040 4040 or our Contact Us page.
Update 7 July 2025, 6:12pm
We have continued to monitor the exceptionally dry conditions, and the impact on our reservoirs. Unfortunately, despite all our operational efforts to reduce the demand for water, as rainfall has remained well below the long-term average the situation has not improved. To help us conserve water and maintain safe navigation, we will be introducing some additional measures to those we announced on 17 June. Starting Wednesday 16 July, we will be adjusting lock operations as follows:
- Foxton Locks will be closed from 4pm Wednesdays through to 8am Fridays.
This will help us preserve water levels while still allowing boaters to enjoy access during the busier parts of the week. We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide fortnightly updates, or sooner if conditions change. Despite the measures we're taking, there may be extreme local circumstances that require us to take immediate action to temporarily close some stretches to navigation. We understand that this continues to be disappointing news, and our priority is to reopen the canal to full navigation as soon as possible. We thank you for your support in reducing water use across our network, and reporting leaks or concerns via 0303 040 4040 or our Contact Us page.
Original 17 June 2025, 8:30am
Following the driest spring in a century, water levels in some of our reservoirs have dropped. To help conserve the remaining water, from Tuesday 1 July we will be reducing the opening times for Foxton Lock flight from 8am, to close at 4pm with last boat in at 3.15pm. This collective action is being introduced on Claydon, Foxton, Napton, Marston Doles, Hill Morton, and Watford Lock Flights.
The aim of this evening restriction is to reduce water demand and allow water levels to recover, which will mean that there will be more water available for daytime journeys. We hope this coordinated action will allow for your continued enjoyment of our waterways throughout the summer and that providing this advance warning will allow you to make suitable plans.
Thank you for your understanding. You can read about other ways you can helppreserve water supplies on our website here.
An update will be provided by Friday 1 August or sooner if the situation changes.
