Bosley Flight

Since our last update, Bosley Lock Flight remains open to navigation under the current operating restrictions. These measures are necessary to help manage water resources during the ongoing drought conditions and to address a number of asset-related challenges affecting water supplies across the network.

The Bosley Lock Flight will be available for passage on Thursdays at 9:00am.

Passages will be limited to a maximum of five boats travelling up the flight and five boats travelling down the flight.

Boaters are asked to arrive at the locks in advance and be ready to proceed, as colleagues will be on site to assist with passage through the flight.

All boats must have cleared the lock flight by 2:00pm.

These arrangements are intended to provide boaters with a planned passage while supporting the careful management of water resources across the network.

We kindly ask customers to book onto this passage only where travel is essential. To arrange an assisted passage, please contact our Customer Support team via: Contact us | Canal & River Trust

To conserve water, reservoir feeds are adjusted to reflect expected navigation demand. This approach helps minimise unnecessary water loss. However, if traffic levels exceed expectations or paddles are left open, it may occasionally be necessary to temporarily pause navigation to restore water levels, sometimes at short notice.

Customers can assist by ensuring paddles are fully closed after use and by reporting any significant leaks or unusually low water levels through our contact channels. This allows issues to be investigated promptly and appropriate action to be taken.

We will continue to monitor conditions closely and review the operating arrangements as circumstances change. While these measures are intended to provide as much certainty as possible for boaters planning their journeys, further restrictions or closures may be required if conditions deteriorate.

The current restriction will be reviewed on 23 November 2026, when Bosley Flight is scheduled to close for the planned winter works at Lock 11.

Following our last update, our teams have now completed repairs to Lock 7 on the Bosley Flight, and water levels have remained stable.

To help support our customers we are introducing restricted opening times to improve the likelihood of the canal remaining open for navigation.

From Thursday 5 November 2026, the following operating times will apply:

Bosley Lock Flight

Open Thursdays only

• Locks will open from 9:00 am to allow passage through the flight.
• The last entry into the flight will be at 1:00 pm.
• All craft must have cleared the flight by 4:00 pm.

These operating arrangements are designed to support boaters in planning their journeys while allowing our teams to carefully manage water resources across the network.

Our team will continue to closely monitor the water levels and review the situation regularly. Should conditions improve, we will review these operating times and make adjustments where possible, we would still encourage customers to be prepared for the possibility of future restrictions or closures, should water levels drop.

The current restriction will be reviewed on 23 November 2026, when the Bosley Flight is scheduled to close for the planned winter works at Lock 11.

Unfortunately, it has been necessary to close the Bosley Flight between Lock 1 and Lock 12 on the Macclesfield Canal to allow our team to carry out urgent repairs to a leak on the Lock 7 tail gate.

During today's passages at Bosley, the leak has been found to be costing us too much water. While today's passages will be completed it is not sustainable for us to continue the passages without dealing with this. Continuing to operate the flight under these conditions would result in the loss of a substantial amount of water which we cannot afford, with little or no rainfall forecast.

Our engineer will attend site tomorrow to carry out an inspection, after which our local team will install stop planks and drain the affected lock to enable the necessary repairs to be completed. The site works will take place early next week. Once repairs have been completed, the team will begin replenishing water levels throughout the flight. Water levels will then be assessed before navigation can safely reopen. Our expectation is to undertake further passages once the repair is done and a further update will be provided on or before 4 November 2026.

Thank you for your patience while we do this work without which, we will not be able to operate the flight.

Since our last update, our teams have reassessed the water levels on both the Bosley and Marple Flights, and the team are satisfied that water levels have recovered enough to open both navigation. 

As water levels remain under close review, we ask all boaters to help conserve water by sharing locks where possible, ensuring paddles are fully closed once you have passed through a lock and report any issues that may affect water resources to our Customer Support Team.

We will reassess water levels on the Bosley Flight on Monday 2 October . If water levels fall to a level that could impact navigation, we may need to introduce restrictions to protect available water resources and maintain safe flight operations.

A further update will be provided on Monday, 2 November.  

Following our previous update, water levels across the network have improved slightly following the rainfall brought by Storm Baleo over the weekend and continue to recover gradually. However, reservoir levels remain low.

Our team continues to closely monitor conditions and assess the overall situation. As water levels improve, we will review opportunities to provide further assisted passages where operationally possible.

To support customers with essential travel requirements, an assisted passage has been arranged through Bosley Flight on Thursday at 9:30am. Due to limited capacity, spaces will be restricted and a waiting list will be in operation. We kindly ask customers to book onto this passage only where travel is essential.

Should water levels continue to recover, we will be looking at arranging additional assisted passages for customers on the waiting list, subject to operational conditions and available resources.

To arrange an assisted passage, please contact our Customer Support team via: Contact us | Canal & River Trust

We would like to thank customers for their continued patience and understanding while these restrictions remain in place.

A further update will be provided on or before 24 November.  

We wish to confirm, the Marple Flight will open for one day only on Thursday 8 October, providing the final opportunity for boats to pass through the flight.

Passage will be available from 9am until 1pm, and customers must ensure that all boats have exited the flight by 4pm.

Repair works to the collapsed culvert at the Combs Reservoir feeder have now been successfully completed. However, reservoir holdings remain at critically low levels and water levels on both the Macclesfield Canal and Peak Forest Canal are still insufficient to support navigation through the Marple and Bosley lock flights. This is due to the continued lack of significant rainfall experienced so far this year.

Although our teams have been working tirelessly to repair and improve our feeders, our reservoir holdings remain at a critical level. To help conserve the limited water available, navigation through the Marple Lock Flight will be closed from Tuesday 13 October. The Bosley Lock Flight will remain closed and will not reopen until reservoir holdings have recovered sufficiently.

Our Hydrology and Water Resources team will continue to closely monitor reservoir levels and water availability across the network.

A further update will be provided on or before Tuesday 27 October. 

Marple Lock Flight continues to operate under restrictions to help manage available water resources.

The lock times are as follows:

Marple Lock Flight – Thursdays only, from 9 am to 1 pm

All boats must have exited the flight by 4 pm.

These operating times are intended to provide boaters with greater certainty when planning their journeys, while allowing our teams to carefully manage water resources across the network.

To help with reduced water flow from the reservoirs, access from third party land owners to gain access to site has been agreed and repair works to the collapsed culvert have commenced on the Combs Reservoir feeder, which will help improve water supply and support water levels as the works progress.

Our teams continue to monitor water resources closely and are working to address the issues affecting water supply. Where conditions improve, we will review the current operating times and make adjustments where possible.

Please note that operating times remain under review and may change as conditions develop.

Please also be aware that a navigation closure has been published for the Bosley Flight on the Macclesfield Canal further details can be found here.

A further update will be provided on or before Monday, 5 October.

The Marple Lock Flight remains open to navigation under the current operating restrictions, which are necessary to help manage water resources.

The lock flight will continue to operate as follows:

Marple Lock Flight – open Thursdays only, from 9 am to 1 pm

All boats must have exited the flight by 4 pm.

By implementing these operating times, we hope to enable boaters to plan their journeys with greater certainty, while our teams continue to work hard to conserve water at every opportunity.

You can help us conserve water by ensuring that paddles are fully closed once you have passed through a lock.

Although water storage levels across the canal network are higher than at this time last year, we are experiencing reduced inflows and some challenges with feeders from the Peak District reservoirs, which we are working to resolve. This is placing additional pressure on water management and canal operations.

We will continue to monitor reservoir levels and, where possible, adjust operating times if the situation improves. Please note that operating times will remain under review and may change as conditions develop.

Please also note that a navigation closure has been published for the Bosley Flight on the Macclesfield Canal. Further details can be foundhere.

Once the Bosley Flight has reopened, restrictions will be reimplemented for the Bosley Flight.

A further update will be provided on or before Tuesday, 8 September.

To help preserve water resources, we are restricting our opening hours further to give the canal a greater probability of remaining open longer during this continued dry weather.

From Friday, 14 August 2026, the following operating times will apply:

Marple Lock Flight – open Thursdays only

• Open from 9am to allow passage through the flight.

Last boat entry to the flight will be at 1pm, and all boats must have exited the flight by 4pm.

We apologise for the inconvenience and disruption this may cause to your boating plans. By implementing these operating times, we hope it will allow boaters to plan your journeys knowing what to expect over the remaining summer months as our teams continue to work hard to conserve water at every opportunity.

You can help us conserve water by ensuring paddles are fully closed once you have passed through a lock. situations will continue to monitor our reservoir holdings throughout the season and where possible, amend the operating times should the situation improve. Please note, these operating times will remain under review and could be subject to change.

Please note a navigation closure has been published for the Bosley Flight on the Macclesfield Canal, further details can be found here.

Once the Bosley Flight has reopened restrictions will be reimplemented for the Bosley Flight. 

A further update will be provided on or Tuesday, 25 August.

The Bosley and Marple lock flights remain open to navigation under the current operating restrictions, which are necessary to help manage water resources.

The lock flights will continue to operate as follows for the remainder of this week:

Bosley Flight: Open Monday, Wednesday and Sunday, from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm

Marple Flight: Open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm

From Monday 10 August, the operating hours will change as follows:

Bosley Flight: Open Monday, Wednesday and Sunday, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Marple Flight: Open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

We kindly ask that all boats clear the lock flights by 4:00 pm, as both flights will be secured outside of the published opening hours.

Demand for navigation remains high, and our volunteers will continue to be on site at both locations to help manage boat movements.

How you can help:

Although water storage levels across the canal network are higher than they were at this time last year, we are experiencing reduced inflows and a number of challenges with feeders from the Peak District reservoirs, which we are working to resolve. This is placing additional pressure on water management and canal operations.

To make the best use of the water available, we carefully match reservoir feeds to navigation demand wherever possible. This helps reduce unnecessary water loss. However, if demand is higher than expected, or paddles are left open, we may occasionally need to pause navigation for short periods to rebalance water levels, sometimes at short notice.

If you notice water levels looking unusually low, please let us know via our contact page. Our teams actively monitor and manage water levels and can refill low pounds where appropriate, investigate potential issues, and help ensure that boats in neighbouring pounds remain safe.

We will continue to monitor canal levels and water resources closely.

A further update will be provided on or before Wednesday 19 August.

The lock flights at Bosley and Marple remain open to navigation with restrictions which is necessary to manage water.

The Bosley flight will be open to navigation on Monday, Wednesday and Sunday with operating hours: 8 am to 1 pm.

The Marple flight will be open to navigation on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday with operating hours: 8 am to 1 pm.

We kindly request that all boats are able to clear the lock flights by 4 pm as both flights will be secured outside of these opening times.

Whilst demand remains high, our volunteers will be on site at both locations to help manage boat movements.

How you can help:

Although water storage levels across the canal network are higher than they were at this time last year, we are experiencing reduced inflows and a number of challenges with feeders from the peak reservoirs that we are working to resolve. This is placing additional pressure on water control and canal operations.

To make the best use of the water available in our reservoirs, we carefully match water feeds to demand wherever possible. This helps reduce unnecessary water loss. However, if demand is higher than expected, or paddles are left open, we may occasionally need to pause navigation for short periods to rebalance water levels, sometimes at short notice.

If you notice water levels looking unusually low, please let us know.](https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/contact-us). "https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/contact-us).") Our teams actively monitor and manage water levels and can carefully refill low pounds, investigate potential issues, and help ensure that moored boats in neighbouring pounds remain safe.

We will continue to monitor canal levels and water resources closely and will provide updates as soon as new information becomes available.

The lock flights at Bosley and Marple will be open to navigation with restrictions necessary to manage water from next week.   The Bosley flight will be open to navigation on Monday, Wednesday and Sunday with operating hours: 8am to 1pm   The Marple flight will be open to navigation on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday with operating hours: 8am to 1pm   Our teams will be working over the weekend continuing to refill and prepare the lock flights to allow navigation   We kindly request that all boats are able to clear the lock flights by 4pm as both flights will be secured outside of these opening times.   Whilst demand remains high our volunteers will be on site at both locations to help manage boat movements.   How you can help   Although water storage levels across the canal network are higher than they were at this time last year, we are experiencing reduced inflows and a number of challenges with feeders from the peak reservoirs that we are working to resolve. This is placing additional pressure on water control and canal operations.   To make the best use of the water available in our reservoirs, we carefully match water feeds to demand wherever possible. This helps reduce unnecessary water loss. However, if demand is higher than expected, or paddles are left open, we may occasionally need to pause navigation for short periods to rebalance water levels, sometimes at short notice.   If you notice water levels looking unusually low, please let us know. Our teams actively monitor and manage water levels and can carefully refill low pounds, investigate potential issues, and help ensure that moored boats in neighbouring pounds remain safe.   We will continue to monitor canal levels and water resources closely and will provide updates as soon as new information becomes available.   We thank our boating customers for their patience over the last week with the challenges we have experienced along the Macclesfield & Peak Forest Canal.

We are sorry to inform customers that navigation remains closed between Locks 1 and 12 of Bosley Flight on the Macclesfield Canal and Locks 1 and 16 of Marple Flight on the Peak Forest Canal due to low water levels.

The water levels are being particularly impacted by a collapsed culvert at Combs Feeder, which has reduced the amount of water feeding into the canals. Our team are currently liaising with third-party landowners for access to carry out the repairs to the culvert.

We are working to preserve water levels and avoid the canal being fully drained, including feeding as much water as we can safely get into our canals. We have been able to add a limited feed from Toddbrook Reservoir. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and are working towards reopening navigation as soon as conditions allow. Whilst we cannot at this stage identify when we will be able to do so, a further update will be provided on or before 23rd July.

Once navigation can safely resume, a booked passage system will be introduced to help manage water resources and retain as much water as possible during the summer period. Further details on how this will operate will be communicated prior to reopening via our notice.

During this notice period, boaters within this location who are affected by these restrictions will not receive overstaying notifications from our Licensing Team due to the current circumstances, until passages are open.

We appreciate the patience and understanding of our boating customers whilst we work to improve the situation.

Navigation is closed between Locks 1 and 12 of Bosley Flight on the Macclesfield Canal and Locks 1 and 16 of Marple Flight on the Peak Forest Canal due to low water.

Unfortunately, water levels have dropped again overnight due to the continued dry weather.

As a result, no assisted passages will be available until water levels improve.

A further update will be provided on or before Tuesday 21 July.

Navigation is currently restricted between Locks 1 and 12 of Bosley Flight on the Macclesfield Canal and Locks 1 and 16 of Marple Flight on the Peak Forest Canal due to low water levels following the recent dry weather.

Our team is working to replenish the canal pounds, but it may take a few days for water levels to recover.

Our volunteers will be on site today between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm to assist boaters travelling through the flights.

To help conserve water, the lock flights will operate as follows:

Marple Flight: Open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 8:00 am–1:00 pm. All boats must be clear of the flight by 4:00 pm. Bosley Flight: Open Monday, Wednesday and Sunday, 8:00 am–1:00 pm. All boats must be clear of the flight by 4:00 pm.

Both flights will remain locked outside of these operating hours to help retain water.

A further update will be provided on Tuesday, 14 July.