Descriptions
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.
