Canal closures

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The archive / Old Main Line

Wolverhampton Lock Flight

A navigation closure on the Old Main Line, 30 July 2025 to 15 September 2025 — 47 days.

Source: this notice on canalrivertrust.org.uk

Waterway
Old Main Line
Region
West Midlands
Started
30 July 2025
Status
Reopened 15 September 2025
Days shut
47
CRT reason
Low Water Levels
Cause
Weather
Asset
Canal or river

Cause and asset are read from the notice prose, not CRT fields; the reason above is CRT's own.

Where

Updates · 3

3 days with no update after the last one.

12 September 2025 · 21 days since the previous

We're pleased to report that, following a review of the water levels, conditions are looking favourable. The current closure will be lifted on Monday 15th September from 4pm. We will continue to monitor water levels closely and, should there be any significant changes, we may need to reintroduce restrictions at short notice.

22 August 2025 · 30 days since the previous

This closure remains in place to reduce water demand and allow water levels to recover. Our priority is to reopen the canal to navigation as soon as possible. We will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates if conditions change. We thank you for your support in reducing water use across our network, and reporting leaks or concerns via 0303 040 4040 or our Contact us page.

23 July 2025 · 0 days since the previous

We have continued to monitor the exceptionally dry conditions, and the impact on our reservoirs. Unfortunately, despite all our operational efforts, as rainfall has remained well below the long-term average, water levels in our feeder reservoirs are continuing to fall due to canal water demands. We can now confirm that, from 12:30pm on Wednesday 30 July 2025, Wolverhampton Lock Flight will be closed to navigation until there is sufficient rainfall to replenish our reservoirs. This measure is necessary to help protect vital water resources on the Wolverhampton Level, which supports several other parts of the Birmingham Canal Navigations. If there is enough rain to allow safe navigation, restrictions will be lifted immediately. However, this is likely to require sustained and prolonged rainfall over several weeks, rather than a single heavy downpour. We understand that this continues to be disappointing news, and our priority is to reopen the canal to full navigation as soon as possible. We thank you for your support in reducing water use across our network, and reporting leaks or concerns via 0303 040 4040 or our Contact Us page.

Cite this: Canal closures, “Wolverhampton Lock Flight”, https://crt-stoppages.pages.dev/notice/0198379c-b227-7b70-af26-1aaeb0a47f9b.

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