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Three men in hi-vis and hard hats work on installing a lock gate along a canal lined with yellow safety barriers.

Brighouse winter works

As part of our winter works activity, we are replacing both the top and bottom gates of Ganny lock on the Calder & Hebble Navigation.

What work is happening?

For decades, the top and bottom gates of Ganny lock on the Calder & Hebble Navigation have quietly moved water and help boats on their way.

These ageing gates are being completely replaced, including the cills and paddles/sluices. We are also carrying out minor remedial works to the lock itself, which includes pointing and sealing any large voids in the lock walls, and replacing the lock ladders and ladder hoops.

Each lock gate is made to measure by our skilled craftspeople at our workshops in Bradley and Stanley Ferry.

One leaf of the top gate at Ganny lock measures approximately 2.7 metres wide and 3.8 metres tall, and weighs around 1700kg - which is roughly the weight of a large male bull.

Engineering apprentice working on new lock gates in a workshop Lock gates being crafted at our Bradley workshop.

When is the work happening?

The work to Ganny lock starts on 2 November 2026. We hope it will be complete by 18 December 2026.

What does this mean for canal users?

Unfortunately, we need to close both the navigation and towpath during this period.

Help support our work

As a charity, it costs us millions of pounds every year to deliver our winter works programme.

Connecting many of the UK's urban and rural areas, canals and rivers provide essential spaces for wildlife and people, helping us all feel happier and healthier.

But these 250-year-old waterways and their vital ecosystems are threatened by the growing impact of climate change and more extreme weather. Without constant upkeep and investment, they face decline and closure, and we risk losing the incredible benefits they bring.

About our winter works programme

Every year, we undertake a large winter works programme, which focuses on hundreds of priority repairs across our 2,000 mile canal and river network - whether that's addressing ageing lock gates and paddles, strengthening canal banks, or carrying out essential works to bridges, tunnels and other structures.

More information

Why we have winter works closures

Find out more about our winter works programme

Notices and stoppages

If you're a boater, find out about notices and stoppages, as well as strong stream and water level warnings before you travel

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Last Edited: 4 November 2026

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