Keeping a 250-year-old canal network open and safe for everyone means carrying out repairs and maintenance all year round - whether that's addressing ageing lock gates and paddles, strengthening canal banks, or carrying out essential works to bridges, tunnels and other structures.
Our winter works programme traditionally falls during the colder months, when usage is lower. We currently have 108 maintenance projects across 33 nagivtions planned between November 2026 and March 2027.
This year, we will be replacing 136 lock gate leaves, alongside a wide range of maintenance, restoration and infrastructure improvement projects across our 2,000-mile network.
Among the largest structures being replaced are the safety gates at Purton on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal. Each gate leaf stands more than six metres high and six metres wide, which is roughly the size of a semi-detached house.
Winter works in your area
Find out more about winter works scheduled for your area, and how you can help support our work.
