From Bridge 109, Wootton Rivers Farm Bridge, to Lock 67, Little Bedwyn, Kennet & Avon Canal.

Unfortunately, due to availability of resources during the current Covid situation, we are unable to commence work at Crofton Pumping Station this winter. 

As a result, although we will continue with our stoppage in order to carry out repair work at Wooton Pumping Station and Lock 67, we will now be able to re-open the navigation from 11th December 2020.  

We will also be deferring works at Bridge 109 until next winter, in order for additional repairs that have been identified to be planned and completed at the same time.

The towpath from Locks 58 to 61 will now stay open.  The navigation will remain dewatered at Lock 67 but normal water levels will be maintained in other areas.  Mooring restrictions will remain in place during the stoppage and no boats are permitted to moor between Locks 66 and 68 during this period.

We would like to apologise most sincerely for this change to programme which, sadly, has been unavoidable.  We realise the change may have caused inconvenience to local moorers.   If you have any issues regarding your mooring, please contact us on [email protected] to discuss this with a member of our Customer Service Team.

Thank you.

We previously posted four separate stoppage notices for winter works between Bridge 109 and Lock 67.  In order to simplify this, we have now amalgamated these into one notice as follows.

The navigation will be closed to through traffic from Bridge 109 to Lock 67, from November 2020 to March 2021, during which time works will include:

Bridge 109:  Brickwork repairs, including removal of loose material and replacement of missing brickwork.

Wootton Pumping Station:  Repairs to the inlet chamber, silt removal and maintenance of the pumps.

Crofton Pumping Station:  Removal and replacement of the pipework and electrics which run under the canal and which requires open-cut excavation of the canal bed.  Construction of a new inlet structure within Wilton Water, replacement of penstocks and local brickwork repairs to the weirs.

Lock 67:  Repairs including the relining of the top and bottom gates, together with brickwork repairs and repointing of brickwork within the lock chamber.

This full closure (including Christmas and New Year) is necessary due to both Crofton and Wootton pumps being worked on simultaneously, which will severely limit water resources and cause fluctuating water levels.   The navigation will also be de-watered between Locks 60 - 61 and Locks 66 – 67. 

The towpath will be closed from Lock 58 to Lock 61.

Please be advised that permanent moorers in the lock pounds, within the limits of this closure, will be restricted to emergency boat movements only.   Unfortunately, winter moorings within these limits will also not be possible.

We apologise for the inconvenience this long closure may cause.  If you have any issues regarding your mooring, please contact us on [email protected] to discuss this with a member of our Customer Service Team.

The information above is a draft notice of works planned as part of our winter 2020/21 stoppages programme.  This is subject to change depending on the latest advice from the UK government on coronavirus.  Please follow our guidance relating to coronavirus when using the canals and towpaths https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/coronavirus.