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The archive / Birmingham & Fazeley Canal
Aston Lock Flight
A navigation closure on the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal, 8 August 2025 to 10 November 2025 — 94 days.
Source: this notice on canalrivertrust.org.uk
- Waterway
- Birmingham & Fazeley Canal
- Region
- West Midlands
- Started
- 8 August 2025
- Status
- Reopened 10 November 2025
- Days shut
- 94
- 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.
What CRT said it was for
We're pleased to advise that water levels have recovered and navigation is open again.
Where
- Birmingham & Fazeley Canal: Lock 1, Aston Top Lock to Aston Lock 11
Updates · 6
17 days with no update after the last one.
24 October 2025 · 8 days since the previous
Aston Lock Flight remains closed. As an alternative route is available via Garrison locks, the closure will remain in place to help conserve water resources. We will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates when the situation changes.
16 October 2025 · 8 days since the previous
Please be advised that, following a review of water levels, navigation at Aston Locks remains closed. We continue to monitor conditions closely and will provide a further update next week.
Earlier updates · 4
8 October 2025 · 14 days since the previous
Please be advised that navigation at Aston Locks remains closed. We are currently reviewing water levels in the area and are hopeful that the canal may be able to reopen next week, subject to conditions improving. A further update will be provided by Wednesday 15th October.
24 September 2025 · 28 days since the previous
This closure still needs to remain in place, we are continually reviewing water levels and will update further if and when conditions change.
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), Aston 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, “Aston Lock Flight”, https://crt-stoppages.pages.dev/notice/019884cd-a99e-70a0-9b2d-2bd8df181ded.
Every closure on Birmingham & Fazeley Canal · Download the data · Method and limits