Updates
11/10/2023 11:34
We are pleased to advise the Bosley Lock Flight on the Macclesfield Canal will remain open to navigation without restriction.
The Marple Flight on the Peak Forest Canal remains closed, you can follow updates on this closure here:
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/26054-navigation-closure-marple-lock-flight-peak-forest-canal
24/08/2023 15:21
Further to our published update on 16 August, as the ongoing unsettled weather continues, we are pleased to advise Bosley Lock Flight on the Macclesfield Canal will be open without restriction from Saturday 26 August.
Please note, whilst volunteers will be assisting along the Bosley Lock Flight, assistance cannot be guaranteed.
Due to the ongoing issue at Lock 7 on the Peak Forest Canal the Marple Lock Flight remains closed to navigation. Please follow updates here:
Marple Lock Flight Closure, Peak Forest Canal
As the unpredictable and unprecedented weather continues, this situation will continue to be reviewed on a weekly basis and if circumstances change, we will aim to give customers two weeks' notice of any changes.
17/08/2023 15:11
Please be advised the Marple lock flight is currently closed to navigation due to an issue at Lock 7. Please follow further updates here:
Marple Lock Flight Closure, Peak Forest Canal
16/08/2023 09:41
Further to our update published on the 4 August, the ongoing unsettled weather continues to increase the inflows into the reservoirs that feed the Macclesfield & Peak Forest canals. In addition, the continued positive impact of the restricted operating times along the Bosley & Marple lock flights, and a secured feed from Combs reservoir, has allowed us to keep navigation open, albeit with restrictions, and following our latest review, it is anticipated that we will be able to keep navigation open for the rest of the year.
The lock flights will continue to open on the following days and times:
Bosley Lock Flight – open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays
- Open from 8:30am 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.
Marple Lock Flight – open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays
- Open from 8:30am to allow passage through the flight. Last boat entry to the flight will be at 12 noon, and all boats must have exited the flight by 4pm.
Both Lock Flights will be closed on Fridays to help the summit water levels to recover ahead of the weekend demand.
This situation will continue to be reviewed on a weekly basis and as soon as we are able to remove these restrictions, we will provide a further update.
04/08/2023 12:05
Further to our update published on the 20 July, the ongoing unsettled weather has substantially increased the inflows into the reservoirs that feed the Macclesfield & Peak Forest canals. In addition, the positive impact of the continued restricted operating times along the Bosley & Marple lock flights and a secured feed from Combs reservoir means we are now in a position to increase the number of passage days along the lock flights and keep navigation open past 14 August.
From Monday 7 August, the Bosley and Marple Lock flights will be open on the following days and times below. Please read these carefully as they differ from the days previously operated:
Bosley Lock Flight – open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays
- Open from 8:30am 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.
Marple Lock Flight – open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays
- Open from 8:30am to allow passage through the flight. Last boat entry to the flight will be at 12 noon, and all boats must have exited the flight by 4pm.
Both Lock Flights will be closed on Fridays to help the summit water levels to recover ahead of the weekend demand.
Due to the continual unpredictable and unprecedented weather, the situation will continue to be reviewed on a weekly basis and if circumstances change, we will aim to give boaters two weeks' notice of any changes, however we will not be closing the lock flights before the 11 September.
20/07/2023 08:47
Further to our update published on the 5 July, the ongoing unsettled weather has substantially increased the inflows into the reservoirs that feed the Macclesfield & Peak Forest canals. In addition, the positive impact of the restricted operating times along the Bosley & Marple lock flights and a secured feed from Combs reservoir mean we are now able to keep navigation open past 31 July.
As the unpredictable and unprecedented weather continues, we cannot currently advise if, and when, the lock flights will close, however we will not be closing the lock flights before the 14 August.
We will continue to operate the Bosley and Marple lock flight on the following days at the times below:
Bosley Lock Flight – open Sundays and Thursdays
- Open from 8:30am 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.
Marple Lock Flight – open Tuesdays and Saturdays
- Open from 8:30am to allow passage through the flight. Last boat entry to the flight will be at 12 noon, and all boats must have exited the flight by 4pm.
The situation will continue to be reviewed on a weekly basis and if circumstances change, we will aim to give boaters two weeks' notice of any changes.
For the most up to date information on waterways across the North West and surrounding areas that are unaffected along with active water saving restrictions and their locations please follow the link here.
05/07/2023 17:40
Whilst our most recent notice on the 26 June 2023 announced a closure from the 10 July, the Trust's operations team and engineers have worked to secure an additional feed from Combs reservoir. This additional flow means that if continuing conditions prevail, we will be able to maintain a feed for navigation and consequently keep the canal open and operational until Monday 31 July.
Despite the recent rainfall, the inflows to our reservoirs in the Peak Forest (Bosley, Sutton and Combs) remain low. The major works at Toddbrook also have an understandable and profound effect on available resources. Notwithstanding, The Trust continues to manage its water resources and feeds to the Peak Forest canal with care. Caution is required specifically to sustain navigation for as long as possible whilst maintaining enough holding in the reservoirs to protect the canal and reservoir infrastructure and its flora and fauna in the event it needs to be closed for a period of time.
In the meantime, the situation will be reviewed fully on a weekly basis and if circumstances change, we will aim to give boaters no less than a weeks' notice of changes to the date of closure.
We would also draw your attention to the existing closure of the canal at Bridge 24, Wood End Lift Bridge above the Marple Flight which restricts passage onwards to Whaley Bridge and reassure you that we are doing everything we can to return the bridge to an operational state as soon as possible to allow access and egress from the upper reaches of the canal. There will be a further update on this repair on the 7 July.
We will continue to operate the Bosley and Marple Lock flight on the following days as the times below:
Bosley Lock Flight – open Sundays and Thursdays
- Open from 8:30am 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.
Marple Lock Flight – open Tuesdays and Saturdays
- Open from 8:30am to allow passage through the flight. Last boat entry to the flight will be at 12 noon, and all boats must have exited the flight by 4pm.
- For the most up to date information on waterways across the North West and surrounding areas that are unaffected along with active water saving restrictions and their locations please follow the link here.
26/06/2023 14:01
As a result of continuing dry weather, we will need to temporarily close the Peak Forest & Macclesfield Canals for navigation from 10th July until water supplies have recovered.
The Peak Forest & Macclesfield Canals began the main boating season with much less water than normal following the on-going repair works at Toddbrook Reservoir. The water in Bosley and Sutton Reservoirs has been used carefully and the restricted opening times have been successful in prolonging the supply to maintain navigation.
Continued hot, dry weather means that holdings are now getting very low, even taking the recent rainfall into account, and so a navigation closure will be put in place along the Marple and Bosley Lock Flights. The remaining reservoir holdings are required to protect the canal infrastructure and meet the Trust's legal responsibilities to protect the ecology and biodiversity throughout the summer.
We are currently reinstating a feed from Combs Reservoir, which has been rested this year as a result of the repair works to the feed channel. Trials are due to commence Monday 26 June to convey water along the feeder channel. If these are unsuccessful, we are planning to reinstate pumping to abstract water from Combs into the canal via the River Goyt at Whaley Bridge. If a feed from Combs can be reinstated, then a planned closure will come into effect on Monday 10 July, however if Combs cannot be brought back into use, the closure could take effect sooner. We will of course be confirming details with boaters and local businesses as soon as we possibly can.
We anticipate that these canals will remain closed for several weeks, but this is entirely weather dependent. Whilst the closures will prevent use of the lock flights, cruising between the lock flights will remain available.
Water holdings will be monitored carefully throughout the summer and if there is continued, significant rainfall then it may be possible to reopen to navigation. During the planned closure the Trust is looking into bringing forward essential maintenance along the Marple Flight, which had originally been scheduled for this winter.
To conserve as much water as possible whilst these closures are in place, both lock flights will be padlocked closed and secured against operation and the gates will be '"ashed" to reduce leakage.
Customers should note that access on and off the peak forest canal is currently further restricted by recent third-party damage to Bridge 24, Wood End Lift Bridge which restricts any movement on or off the Peak Forest canal beyond this point. Updates on this closure can be found here
The Trust understands what an impact this has on boaters and boating businesses and apologises for the inconvenience and uncertainty that the closure brings.
For the most up to date information on waterways across the North West and surrounding areas that are unaffected along with active water saving restrictions and their locations please follow the link here.
06/06/2023 15:35
As a result of the current and forecasted dry weather and the continuing repair works at Toddbrook Reservoir, we are implementing some further restrictions to support continued navigation across the Macclesfield & Peak Forest canals this summer.
To help manage and ensure a sustained water supply for as long as possible, we need to further restrict the use of the lock flights from Monday 19 June 2023. Our teams of volunteers will be onsite to oversee passage and to help conserve as much water as possible.
From Monday 19 June 2023, the following operating times will apply:
Bosley Lock Flight – open Sundays and Thursdays
- Open from 8:30am 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.
Marple Lock Flight – open Tuesdays and Saturdays
- Open from 8:30am to allow passage through the flight. Last boat entry to the flight will be at 12 noon, and all boats must have exited the flight by 4pm.
You can help us conserve water by ensuring paddles are fully closed once you have passed through a lock. You can see how working together can help us all save water here, and learn how the Trust manages our water here.
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 summer months as our teams continue to work hard to conserve water at every opportunity.
Our teams 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.
For the most up to date information on waterways across the North West and surrounding areas that are unaffected along with active water saving restrictions and their locations please follow the link here.
Learn more about our current Northern Reservoir situation here.
Up until, and inclusive of, Sunday the 18 June, the times previously advised will be in operation.
