Canal closures

Independent. Built from Canal & River Trust's own published notices, with no affiliation to or endorsement by the Trust.

The archive / Gower Branch (New Main Line)

Brades Lock Flight

A navigation closure on the Gower Branch (New Main Line), 8 August 2025 to 15 September 2025 — 38 days.

Source: this notice on canalrivertrust.org.uk

Waterway
Gower Branch (New Main Line)
Region
West Midlands
Started
8 August 2025
Status
Reopened 15 September 2025
Days shut
38
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 · 16 days since the previous

We're pleased to report that, following a review of the water levels, conditions are looking favourable. The current closure at Brades Lock Flight 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.

27 August 2025 · 20 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.

7 August 2025 · 0 days since the previous

We have continued to monitor the exceptionally dry conditions and the resulting 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. As a result, we can confirm that from 10am tomorrow (Friday 8th August), Brades lock flight will be closed to navigation. This closure will remain in place until there is sufficient rainfall to replenish our reservoirs. This collective action also applies to the Brades, Spon Lane, Smethwick, and Aston lock flights, and is necessary to help protect vital water resources across the BCN. If sufficient rainfall allows safe navigation, we will lift restrictions immediately. However, please note that this is likely to require sustained, prolonged rainfall over several weeks, rather than a single heavy downpour. We understand this is disappointing news, and our priority remains to reopen the canal to full navigation as soon as possible. Thank you for your continued support in reducing water use across our network and for reporting leaks or concerns via 0303 040 4040 or our Contact Us page.

Cite this: Canal closures, “Brades Lock Flight”, https://crt-stoppages.pages.dev/notice/019884c7-693b-77eb-98a3-37925474d86c.

Every closure on Gower Branch (New Main Line) · Download the data · Method and limits