Descriptions
Update 21 October 2026, 12:25pm
Navigation at Ryders Green Lock Flight remains closed.
A repair is required at Hatley Heath following the identification of a high-level leak. While water levels have now stabilised, the lock flight must remain closed to protect the asset and support the planning and delivery of the necessary repair works.
As Ryders Green Lock Flight feeds water into the affected pound, the flight will continue to be closed while these repairs are progressed.
Thank you for your patience while these measures remain in place.
Our teams will continue to monitor the situation, and we will provide a further update on Friday 30 October.
Update 6 October 2026, 2:07pm
Navigation at Ryders Green Lock Flight remains closed until further notice. Since the closure was implemented, there has been further suspected vandalism at Locks 2 and 3.
To help maintain water levels on the Birmingham Level and protect the wider canal network, we will be keeping the flight closed until further notice.
Our teams will continue to monitor the situation and we will provide a further update when more information becomes available.
Original 2 October 2026, 11:08am
Due to ongoing vandalism at Ryders Green Lock Flight, which is causing significant water losses and impacting water levels across the Birmingham Level, the flight will be closed to navigation. To allow boats currently on the flight to clear the affected section, the last passage will take place today at 12:00pm. Following this passage, the lock flight will be closed until further notice. The closure is necessary to help protect water resources and maintain navigation levels across the wider network. Our teams are monitoring the situation and working to minimise the impact on customers and the network. Updates will be provided as further information becomes available. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank customers for their patience and understanding.
