Watford Lock Flight

Further investigations have confirmed that both pumps supporting the Watford Lock Flight have failed. However, while repairs are required, the primary reason for the ongoing closure remains the continued lack of available water, and this is likely to remain the determining factor for some time.

Work is now underway to return the second pump to service. The failure was caused by worn bearings, linked to a significant build-up of silt within the well. Around five tonnes of silt must be removed before repairs can be completed, and specialist contractors have been engaged to carry out this work.

Once the well has been cleared, repairs to the pump will be undertaken. We currently expect this work to be completed within the next three weeks.  Further work will then be undertaken to replace the first pump this winter. 

Water levels remain low, so we are unable to reopen the lock flight safely at present. It therefore remains closed to navigation. We will update this notice as the situation develops.

Recent rainfall has not sufficiently affected reservoir levels to allow Watford Lock Flight to reopen. The flight will remain closed until levels have improved significantly. We will continue to monitor reservoir levels and update this notice when conditions change.

Due to the ongoing dry weather and low reservoir levels, Watford Lock Flight is now closed. These arrangements will remain in place until the reservoirs have significantly recovered, and we are able to reopen safely. We will continue to monitor conditions and update this notice as the situation develops.

Full closure from 1st September. Due to the ongoing dry weather and low reservoir levels, Watford Lock Flight will fully close from Tuesday 1st September. We will extend the restricted opening times over the Bank Holiday weekend to include Monday 31st August. The locks will be open from 8am to 12pm, with the last boat entering at 11am. Foxton Lock Flight will also open on Monday 31st August before closing to boats from Tuesday 1st September. These arrangements will remain in place until the reservoirs have significantly recovered, and we are able to reopen safely. We will continue to monitor conditions and update this notice as the situation develops.

Due to the ongoing dry weather and drought conditions affecting parts of England, we are introducing further restrictions at Watford Lock Flight to help conserve water. These reduced opening times will help avoid a full closure and allow the lock flight to remain open through to the end of August and potentially beyond. From Friday 14th August, the lock flight will be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only, from 8am to 12pm. Last boat in at 11am. Watford Lock Flight will therefore close at 3pm on Tuesday 11th August and reopen at 8am on Friday 14th August. The same opening times will also apply at Foxton Lock Flight. These arrangements will remain in place until at least the end of August and may be extended if conditions do not improve.

Reservoir holdings feeding the Leicester Line are lower than normal for the time of year. This is a result of the prolonged dry weather and challenges with water assets. To help conserve the remaining water, Watford Locks will close early with last boat in at 3pm on Monday 13th July. From Tuesday 14th July we will be reducing the opening times to 10am, to close with last boat in at 3pm. This action is also being introduced at Foxton Lock Flight. The aim of this restriction is to reduce water demand and allow water levels to recover, which will mean that there will be more water available for daytime journeys. We hope this action will allow for your continued enjoyment of our waterways throughout the summer.