Leeds & Liverpool Closed For Cruising

[Alan de Enfield]

Taken from Narrowboat World

 

THE opening hours of locks on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal have been further cut.

A total of 22 locks on the waterway have had their opening hours cut from being closed at 4.30pm or 5pm to now being closed to navigation from 2.30pm or 3pm, Keith Gudgin tells us.

 

14 miles under restrictions

These are from Holme Bridge Lock (30) to Bottom Lock (51), from Gargrave to Barrowford a total of 14 miles under restrictions.

The restrictions on these locks will start tomorrow (Friday) until further notice, caused of course by the lack of rainfall, with the locks not opened until 10am, giving around four hours boating a day.

 

And then :

 

IT GETS worse! Not only a four hour 'window' to use locks, but now Canal & river Trust is closing six lock flights on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal completely!

From the end of this month Wigan, Gargrave, Barrowford, Greenberfield, Bank Newton and Gargrave flights will all be securely chained up to make sure no navigation can take place! Keith Gudgin reports.

 

Making locks inoperable

Though of course it is not admitted, this has been caused by the constant leakage of so many locks on the waterway that is draining the limited water supplies, and why locks are to be 'ashed' (putting ash around gates to prevent leakage).

We are told that to prevent unauthorised access though vandalism, measures will be taken to make the locks inoperable.

 

Possibly closed into September

It is admitted that it is not clear how long the closure will last for but it’s likely to be throughout August and potentially into September, but the trust is pleased to say that whilst the closure will prevent use of the canal by boats 'the towpath will remain open for visitors and the local community alike to enjoy'.

So it you are at present boating on the Leeds & Liverpool, get off it as soon as possible. And as to the hire companies...? 

Edited July 13, 2018 by Alan de Enfield

[Alway Swilby]

Two Gargrave flights are going to be closed! Quality journalism.

[Dr Bob]

Buying a 62ft boat doesn't seem a bad decision then?

[Heartland]

Yes two Gargraves, one must be the chippy, which I have always found closed. Still the water issues at Gargrave is not new, i believe.

[Alan de Enfield]

2 hours ago, Dr Bob said:

Buying a 62ft boat doesn't seem a bad decision then?

Looking with my 1/2 empty glass I'm not sure that buying any boat now, or in the near future, is not a bad decision, however, for buying a 'floating flat', conditions seem perfect.

[Titus]

There's another topic re the Leeds & Liverpool closing under Stoppages 

[Alan de Enfield]

9 minutes ago, Titus said:

There's another topic re the Leeds & Liverpool closing under Stoppages 

Thanks - I hadn't realised.

My "New Posts" setting went to cock on the last "Forum Improvements" and "Stoppages" is not now shown.

[JohnEW2912]

There’s also another thread  a bit lower down on General Boating with the same info I started on Thursday, which was when the stoppage was announced.