Stoppages Results

Advice: Bridge 4, Dover Bridge - Leigh Branch

The towpath here has been temporarily closed to customers. This is due to failed timber supports on this section beneath the bridge. British Waterways apologise for any inconvenience caused.

(Enquiries: 01942 405 700 )

The towpath is also closed

Opening Times: Aintree Bells Lane Bridge through the swing bridges to Liverpool.

BW Assistance to Liverpool.

Assistance is required from British Waterways for those craft wanting to travel from Hancocks Swing Bridge 9 through the swing bridges to Liverpool and the Eldonian Village. Please be advised that 48 hours notice is required for this passage. Arrangements for this can be made through the Northwest office on 01942 405700 from 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). Passages commence between 8am and 9am dependant on the time of year. Northwest office must be advised of the following:

- Name of traveller
- Date of travel
- Name of craft
- Index number of craft
- Mobile contact telephone number

Assisted passage is available on both weekdays and weekends.

(Enquiries: 01942 405700)

Advice: Lathom Top Lock Service Station

This site is not connected to the main drains system and as such requires pumping out on a weekly basis which brings the annual maintenance of these facilities to in excess of £20,000 per annum. An assessment has been carried out to determine the cost of placing these services onto mains drains which has not proven to be viable. The showers have also recently suffered vandalism and require replacing for health and safety reasons.

As such a review of the effectiveness of these facilities along with an assessment of the proximity to alternative services has been carried out.
Alternative facilities on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal are located at the following locations:-

Burscough: Bridge 32A (Toilets, Water Point, Elsan) – ½ hour cruising

Sparks Bridge 8A, Rufford Branch (Toilets, Water Point, Elsan, Pump Out, Showers) – 2 hours cruising

Litherland: Bridge 2J (Toilets, Water Point, Pump Out) – 6 hours cruising

Henhurst Lock 86, Wigan (Toilets, Elsan, Water Point) – 4 hours cruising

In view of this, it has been decided that it is not cost effective to keep these facilities open at this location and therefore they will be closed as of 1st September 2007. However this will be on a trial basis at this stage to assess the impact that this will have on our customers. Please note that the water point will remain open. A review will take place early next year following consultation with users at the forthcoming user group meetings.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

(Enquiries: 01942 405700)

Towpath Closure only: Armley Mills to Kirkstall Brewery Towpath Improvements

Towpath improvement works on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. Phased works will be undertaken over approximately a 20-week period during which time sections of the towpath will need to be closed. However, efforts will be made to minimise disruption wherever possible. Suggested route diversions are shown in the maps displayed on site. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience during this time.

This work is a partnership scheme between BW, Leeds City Council and Sustrans to deliver an improved and more durable multi-user towpath route.

For further information contact:

British Waterways: Business Support Team on 0113 281 6860
Leeds City Council: Site Contract Supervisor on 0113 247 5505

(Enquiries: 0113 281 6860)

Restriction: Lock 75, Wigan Flight

A restriction to through navigation is required on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Lock 75 on the Wigan Flight.

The towpath side lock gate is locked off; please use the offside lock gate only.

If your boat is too wide to fit through the one gate please call the following number for assistance:

8.30am – 5pm Wigan Office 01942 405700

5pm – 8.30am Freephone canals 0800 4799947

Repairs will be instigated as soon as possible.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

(Enquiries: 01942 405700)

Advice: Burnley to Johnson’s Hill

Update ( 27 August 2009 )

Further to the information notice issued on the 12 August 2009, the blue-green algae bloom is now present on the stretch of the Leeds & Liverpool between Burnley and Johnson’s Hill.

A suspected bloom of potentially toxic blue-green algae has been reported in the Leeds & Liverpool Canal throughout Burnley. Although blue-green algae occurs naturally in freshwater, there is a risk of serious hazard to health when they occur in high concentrations. The highest concentrations of blue green algae toxins are found in scums which can form on the water surface, and which can look like turquoise paint, grass clippings or floating mats. The toxins can affect humans, pets and livestock. You should avoid all contact with water which has a blue-green paint-like scum on its surface and also avoid contact with very green water.
Immersion sports (such as paddling, swimming, and canoeing) carry a higher risk to human health and should not be practiced where there is a scum or green water present. Such conditions can come and go quickly, which means that British Waterways cannot guarantee the suitability of the water for these activities. Therefore, it is your responsibility to check for scums or green water prior to any immersion activity.
Do not allow pets or livestock to swim in or drink the water. We recommend that you keep dogs on leads.

If you do come into contact with the algal scum, remove contaminated clothing and wash all exposed skin in clean water as soon as possible, particularly before eating or drinking.
If you are in any doubt about your welfare after contact with the algae, please seek medical advice.
This advice remains in force for the forseeable future until the bloom has subsided.

(Enquiries: 01942 405700)

Restriction: Bridge 131, Colne Road Bridge, Burnley

A restriction to through navigation is required on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Bridge 131, Colne Road Bridge due to an unstable 3rd party owned retaining wall on the offside of the Canal. The wall is located slightly east of Bridge 131.

A barrier has been installed at this location and passing boats are advised to keep to the towpath side.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

(Enquiries: 01942 405700)

Opening Times: Bingley Five-Rise Locks, Three Rise Locks and Field Locks

UPDATE (09 November 2009): Opening Times for Bingley 5 Rise, 3 Rise and Field Locks

Monday-Friday 8.15am-3pm - last entry 30 minutes before closing. Saturday-Sunday closed. On 24-31 Dec, open 8.15-3pm - last entry 30 minutes before closing. (Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day, 2nd Jan)
Please contact 01942 405700 to book

(Enquiries: 01942 405700)

Opening Times: Spring Garden Lock Leeds to Newlay top Lock

Monday-Friday 8.15am - 2.30pm - last entry 30 minutes before closing. Saturday-Sunday closed. Passage through this section and assistance provided can be done by giving at least 72 hours notice. Only boats with a booking number will be allowed passage through these locks. Contact our customer service office on T 01942 405700 On 24-31 Dec, open 8.15-3pm - last entry 30 minutes before closing (closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day, Fri 2nd Jan).

(Enquiries: 01942 405700)

Opening Times: Forge Locks

Forge Locks will be non-operational throughout the Christmas period due to the ladder works and gate replacement works.

Opening Times: Plank Lane Swing Bridge (operated by BW staff)

At Plank Lane Bridge the following supplies are available: windlass, handcuff and BW Yale keys. Opening times are as follows: mid Mar, Apr, May - 8am-6pm. Jun, Jul, Aug - 8am-8pm. Sep - mid Nov - 8am-6pm, Mid Nov - mid Mar Weekdays 8am-4.30pm. Weekends 10am-2pm. Closed for lunch daily 12pm-12.45pm. Closed 24 Dec 09 - 04 Jan.

Opening Times: Lock 59 to Lock 85

Closure dates will be posted at each lock. However these are only indications and may vary depending on overall progress made. The winter opening hours will only apply when work at any one lock has been completed.

Towpath Closure only: Bridge 71 Rawlinson lane & Bridge 68 Redhouse Bridge on the Leeds & Liverpool canal

A closure to the towpath is required on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Rawlinson Lane Bridge and Red House Bridge, for a distance of approximately 2KM, navigation should not be affected during this project.

British Waterways have received Funding to undertake towpath & wash wall improvements on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal between Rawlinson Lane Bridge 71 & Red House Bridge 68.

In the interest of public Health & Safety the towpath will be closed to the general public intermittently throughout January 2010 to April 2010 during the construction phase of this project.

An update notice will be issued on when construction is complete.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

(Enquiries: 01942405700)