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Locks 55-46, Locks 39, 40 & 45, Lock 29 & 22, Berkhamsted to Fenny Stratford

Type: Navigation Restriction

Waterway(s): Grand Union Canal

From: 16 July 2025 4:00 pm

To: On-going

Region: London and South East

Reason: Low Water Levels

Subject to review on: 30 July 2025

Location

Closest waterwayGrand Union Canal
Starts atLock 22, Fenny Stratford Lock
Ends atWaterpoint, Lower Kings Road

Description

Original 2 July 2025 4:00 pm

We have continued to monitor the exceptionally dry conditions, and the impact on our reservoirs by this and the works underway at Wilstone Reservoir. 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 measures on availability of our locks on the Grand Union canal at this time, they are as follows:

Cowroast Lock 46 - Rising Sun Lock 55 locks - will be open between 1000hrs and 1400hrs

Locks 45, 40 and 39 (Marsworth Flight) - will only be open between 1000hrs and 1400hrs (Passage through flight must be completed prior to 1500hrs)

Church Lock 29 - will only be open between 1000hrs and 1400hrs

Fenny Lock 22 - will only be open between 1000hrs and 1400hrs

This will help us preserve water levels while still allowing boating customers to enjoy access during the busier parts of the week. We request that you do not attempt to manager water levels yourself but please contact us if issues arise on 0303 040 4040. 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.

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