Description
Original 17 August 2026, 3:25pm
During the 10 days in which key lock flights have been closed at Gargrave / Bank Newton, Bingley 5&3 Rise, Kirkstall / Forge / Newlay, we have seen canal levels continue to fall rather than recover as we hoped. The prolonged dry weather being experienced means that we are seeing little inflow of water to the canal to aid our recovery efforts. As such we are now implementing a closure from Office Lock at Leeds to Lock 41 at Bank Newton until such a time as we receive sufficient inflows of water to return the canal to a navigable level. River Lock at Leeds will remain open for passage to and from the River Aire, with the canal at Granary Wharf basin served by a back-pump from the river. We will also be providing a passage window through the Gargrave and Bank Newton locks from Lock 30 to Lock 41 on Thursday 20th August 2026 and Friday 21st August 2026 between 10am and 3pm. Passage will be available in both upstream and downstream directions to aid those wishing to exit the area or make their way to service provisions on the Skipton pound. Whilst there is no need to book this passage, as we will have roving lock keepers in the area to assist on both days, it would help us if you communicated your journey plans via our Boater's Calendar. We will provide further updates on water levels and the impact on navigation as necessary, with a next update no later than Friday 28th August 2026 at 4pm.
