Notices and stoppages

If you're planning a boat journey, or going for a walk or ride along our towpaths, it's a good idea to check if there are any closures or works affecting your route before you leave home.

Drought advisory notice

Over half of England and all of Wales are in drought. On the canal network, this has seen reservoir levels, river levels and feeders reduce, and temporary restrictions or closures of locks brought in to help manage water levels.

We've suspended the 14-day movement requirement and have prioritised water-saving repairs. If you are boating, please share locks if you’re able and shut lock gates and paddles after use. If you see that water levels are looking unusually low, please let us know.

Thank you for your understanding during these challenging times.

Winter works programme 2026/27

After consultation rounds with those who use our waterways to minimise potential disruption, the programme has now been published

Our five-year plan

We have put together a plan for the works we have scheduled for the next five years

Customer service facilities

Notices are still issued below for temporary disruptions to water points, Elsan disposal, pump-out, recycling and refuse facilities.

For permanent closures or changes, please visit our 'closed facilities' page.

Ongoing notices

Booking passage

To travel through some tunnels, bridges and locks you will need to book passage in advance. This might be because of unexpected events, such as an unplanned stoppage, or because boat passage needs to coincide with tide times.