Rochdale - CRT controlled passage lock 1 to lock 13

[Unicorn Stampede]

 

 

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Navigation Restriction
Rochdale Locks 1 to 13
Details
Type: Navigation Restriction
Waterway(s): Rochdale Canal
From: 26 March 2026, 1:46pm
To: On-going
Region: Yorkshire and North East
Reason: Information
Subject to review on: 31 October 2026

Location
Closest waterway: Rochdale Canal
Starts at: Lock 1
Ends at: Lock 13

 

Description
Original 26 March 2026, 1:48pm

Operational Window on Rochdale Canal Locks 1–13 Following reflection on last summer and the significant water scarcity experienced on the Rochdale Canal, we will be introducing an operational window for the navigation Locks 1–13. This change is being implemented to provide greater certainty for boaters on when navigation will be available and to help us keep the canal open for as long as possible through the summer months. By managing lock operation within defined time periods, we can use water more efficiently and economically, reducing unnecessary losses and better protecting water levels during prolonged dry weather. Our aim is to balance the needs of navigation with the realities of limited water resources, while continuing to support safe and reliable passage wherever possible. Further details on the operational window, including times and any updates, will be shared on our website and through our usual customer communications.

From Monday 30th March the following operational windows will be implemented:

Tuel Lane Passage – Monday's - 8am to 10am and 2pm to 4pm – No booking needed            Friday's - 8am to 4pm – No booking needed

                             From Monday 13th April

Hebden Bridge Locks 8 to 11 – passage available 10am to 6pm daily with last entry to all areas at 5pm. Outside of these times all these locks will be locked off.                                  

What you can do to help? Your cooperation during this time is essential and deeply appreciated. Here are some things you can do to help reduce strain on the system:

Share locks where possible and make the best use of the water available.
Make sure paddles are fully closed once you've passed through a lock.
Aim for minimal contact when navigating through locks by ensuring gates are fully open as you pass through.
Pushing gates open using a boat can damage the gate lining, increasing its leakage.
If you spot a leak or any suspicious activities please call us on 0303 040 4040 or emailing via contact-us
  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to manage the canal sustainably.

 

 

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Received this via email. Be an interesting time for the Rochdale. We came down Tuel lane the other day and to say it was a shit show was an understatement. The top gates don't properly close currently which provides an ungodly amount of water falling down a 20ft depth.

 

The lock keeping volunteers asked us to complain (as they already had, to not avail) but we were told by CRT we were incorrect and Tuel Lane lock is perfectly safe.

 

That's a side rant really - regardless, I imagine it'll be interesting to see if this continues into summer.

Edit: I had read this initially as CRT doing assisted passage from lock 1 to 13. I think I'm incorrect in that thinking now.

 

Looks like it's assisted passage lock 1 to 3 as normal, then locks 8 to 11 will be padlocked outside the operating hours.

 

Kind of weird they mention lock 13 however in the notice. 

 

I wonder if this will also stop the house outside lock 8 trying to drain the lock (and the pound) late into the evenings.

[David Mack]

14 minutes ago, Unicorn Stampede said:

 

I wonder if this will also stop the house outside lock 8 trying to drain the lock (and the pound) late into the evenings.

Unless they've fixed it, there is a huge amount of water leaking under the offside bottom gate of lock 8. The lock empties itself very quickly if left unattended, and the adjacent house owner doesn't have to do anything.

[Unicorn Stampede]

12 minutes ago, David Mack said:

Unless they've fixed it, there is a huge amount of water leaking under the offside bottom gate of lock 8. The lock empties itself very quickly if left unattended, and the adjacent house owner doesn't have to do anything.

Didn't they fix that this Winter stoppage? They were doing a large repair from Jan to end Feb with Lock 8.

 

Im fairly confident that's what the repair was. Wonder if I can dig out the winter stoppage notes.

Found it

 

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/0196b204-1ec5-77b9-8464-26b5bf467d55

 

Says they were initially doing washwall repair but the repairs required are more extensive. I assume that's linked to the gate but it doesn't say.

[Stroudwater1]

Are  some of the Rochdale too narrow for 2 boats to share? Suppose wherever possible covers it though I think the wherever is more aimed at wherever another boat is around not wherever a lock is wide enough to take 2? 

[Jen-in-Wellies]

11 hours ago, Stroudwater1 said:

Are  some of the Rochdale too narrow for 2 boats to share? Suppose wherever possible covers it though I think the wherever is more aimed at wherever another boat is around not wherever a lock is wide enough to take 2? 

According to my notes from our passage, locks 34, 40, 41 and 47 have signs on them for narrowboats not to share. This was from ten years ago, so things may have changed. On some of them you could see the obvious bulge in the chamber walls. The effort to reopen the canal within the budget available didn't give enough to rebuild the chambers. 

On the western side of the Rochdale, beyond the junction of the Ashton, you could be waiting days for another boat to share the others. 

[Mac of Cygnet]

16 minutes ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

According to my notes from our passage, locks 34, 40, 41 and 47 have signs on them for narrowboats not to share. This was from ten years ago, so things may have changed. On some of them you could see the obvious bulge in the chamber walls. The effort to reopen the canal within the budget available didn't give enough to rebuild the chambers. 

On the western side of the Rochdale, beyond the junction of the Ashton, you could be waiting days for another boat to share the others. 

None of those are in the stretch in question.  There is only one restricted width lock between 1 & 13 - Richard Kilner Lock between Luddendenfoot and Mytholmroyd.  Sorry, can't remember its number.

Edited March 27 by Mac of Cygnet
To make Luddenfoot longer

[Unicorn Stampede]

12 hours ago, Stroudwater1 said:

Are  some of the Rochdale too narrow for 2 boats to share? Suppose wherever possible covers it though I think the wherever is more aimed at wherever another boat is around not wherever a lock is wide enough to take 2? 

There's two now with subsidence, meaning one boat at a time. The mytholmroyd lock and one of the Brierly locks. Believe it's lock 4 and lock 6.

Edited March 27 by Unicorn Stampede

[David Mack]

13 minutes ago, Unicorn Stampede said:

There's two now with subsidence, meaning one boat at a time. The mytholmroyd lock and one of the Brierly locks. Believe it's lock 4 and lock 6.

Lock 3/4 is Tuel Lane deep lock.

[PeterF]

1 hour ago, Mac of Cygnet said:

None of those are in the stretch in question.  There is only one restricted width lock between 1 & 13 - Richard Kilner Lock between Luddendenfoot and Mytholmroyd.  Sorry, can't remember its number.

Edward Kilner lock, number 5.