Descriptions
Update 19 August 2026, 10:03am
Full closure from 1st September.
Due to the ongoing dry weather and low reservoir levels, Watford Lock Flight will fully close from Tuesday 1st September.
We will extend the restricted opening times over the Bank Holiday weekend to include Monday 31st August. The locks will be open from 8am to 12pm, with the last boat entering at 11am.
Foxton Lock Flight will also open on Monday 31st August before closing to boats from Tuesday 1st September.
These arrangements will remain in place until the reservoirs have significantly recovered, and we are able to reopen safely. We will continue to monitor conditions and update this notice as the situation develops.
Update 4 August 2026, 12:39pm
Due to the ongoing dry weather and drought conditions affecting parts of England, we are introducing further restrictions at Watford Lock Flight to help conserve water. These reduced opening times will help avoid a full closure and allow the lock flight to remain open through to the end of August and potentially beyond. From Friday 14th August, the lock flight will be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only, from 8am to 12pm. Last boat in at 11am. Watford Lock Flight will therefore close at 3pm on Tuesday 11th August and reopen at 8am on Friday 14th August. The same opening times will also apply at Foxton Lock Flight. These arrangements will remain in place until at least the end of August and may be extended if conditions do not improve.
Original 9 July 2026, 11:07am
Reservoir holdings feeding the Leicester Line are lower than normal for the time of year. This is a result of the prolonged dry weather and challenges with water assets. To help conserve the remaining water, Watford Locks will close early with last boat in at 3pm on Monday 13th July. From Tuesday 14th July we will be reducing the opening times to 10am, to close with last boat in at 3pm. This action is also being introduced at Foxton Lock Flight. The aim of this 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 action will allow for your continued enjoyment of our waterways throughout the summer.
