Descriptions
Update 25 September 2025, 4:22pm
While the prolonged period of dry weather has now ended and rainfall so far this month is above average, there has been little to no recovery in reservoir water levels since the closure.
However, we are hopeful that based on the anticipated increase in rainfall over the coming weeks, that we may be able to lift the closure and offer limited passage to allow movement before the start of the winter stoppage programme.
If no further issues arise then the proposed opening times will be as follows:
Friday 10th October to Sunday 2nd November the following locks will be open from 10am to 3pm with last boat in at 2pm.
Grand Union Canal Calcutt Lock 1 (Top Lock) through to Lock 23 (Radford Bottom Lock) Calcutt Lock 1(Top Lock) Braunston Locks 1 to 6 Buckby Locks 7 to 13 Stoke Bruerne Locks 14 to 20 Oxford Canal Hillmorton Locks 2 to 7 Napton Lock 8 through to Marston Doles Lock 16 (Top Lock) Coventry Canal Glascote Lock Lock 12 (Top Lock) to 13 - (Bottom Lock) Atherstone Lock 1 through to Lock 11
We hope that this window of opportunity to travel will support boaters and boating businesses but strongly advise that everyone continue to check these notices for any updates and plan their journeys to ensure they have enough time to navigate through the restricted areas of the network.
We will update this notice to confirm the proposed plans on 7th October or sooner if we have further information.
For more information on the water resource position please click here to read our position statement.
Update 19 September 2025, 2:05pm
Despite the recent rainfall, the water levels in the reservoirs that supply the Grand Union Canal, Coventry Canal, and Oxford Canal have not improved enough to allow us to relax the current navigation restrictions and closures. To support boaters and boating businesses, we are now working towards offering a limited window of passage during the final two weeks of October (i.e. from Monday 20th October). This will enable:
- Boaters to return to their home moorings.
- Those needing to move closer to essential services ahead of our planned winter works programme, which begins in early November, to do so.
- Commercial operators to make the most of the final weeks of the season.
We will share further details in October, once we have a clearer picture of water availability.
Update 15 August 2025, 4:24pm
Hawksbury Stop Lock will no longer be locked off, allowing boats to pass between the Oxford and Coventry canals. We will continue to monitor water levels in case it becomes necessary to restrict or close. To clarify, Locks will be locked off at 3pm on Monday 25th August at 3pm and will not reopen again on Tuesday 26th August: We move to a full closure of the locks listed below.
Grand Union Canal
- Calcutt Lock 1 (Top Lock) through to Lock 23 (Radford Bottom Lock)
- Calcutt Lock 1(Top Lock)
- Braunston Locks 1 to 6
- Buckby Locks 7 to 13
- Stoke Bruerne Locks 14 to 20
Oxford Canal
- Hillmorton Locks 2 to 7
- Napton Lock 8 through to Marston Doles Lock 16 (Top Lock)
Coventry Canal
- Glascote Lock Lock 12 (Top Lock) to 13 - (Bottom Lock)
- Atherstone Lock 1 through to Lock 11
We will continue to monitor water levels and work on other potential opportunities to improve and manage water resources. If opportunities to adjust these restrictions or closures materialise, we will update this notice. Our priority is to reopen the canal to full navigation as soon as possible.
Original 14 August 2025, 1:27pm
We have continued to monitor the exceptionally dry conditions and the impact on our reservoirs. Unfortunately, despite our operational efforts and the cooperation of our boaters in reducing water demand, rainfall has remained well below the long-term average and we've seen a rapid decline in the situation.
To help us further conserve water for safe navigation, we will be reducing lock opening times as follows:
- From Friday 15th August: Lock opening hours will be between 10am and 3pm.
We will continue to monitor the situation. However, if the situation does not improve:
- From Tuesday 26th August: We move to a full closure of the locks listed below.
Grand Union Canal
- Radford Bottom Lock 23
- Calcutt Lock 1
- Braunston Locks 1 to 6
- Buckby Locks 7 to 13
- Stoke Bruerne Locks 14 to 20.
Oxford Canal
- Hawkesbury Stop Lock
- Hillmorton Locks 1 to 3
- Napton Lock 8
- Marston Doles Lock 15.
Coventry Canal
- Glascote Bottom Lock
- Atherstone Lock.
Last entry for all the above flights will be at 1.45pm. Please be aware that it can take up to 4 hours to travel through some longer lock flights, and the reduced opening hours may mean your journey will involve overnight stops within extended lock flights.
While the closure is in place, the locks will remain closed; however, boaters will still be able to cruise along the pounds between winding holes
We are constantly reviewing the situation, and as soon as conditions improve sufficiently, we will do our utmost to provide temporary windows of passage through the locks to allow boat movement. This will depend on water levels rising adequately, which will require sufficient and prolonged rainfall.
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.
