Bridge 11 to Bridge 177

We are continuing our efforts to improve water levels on the Lancaster Canal and are making positive progress. Our teams have been carrying out repairs to known leaks within the affected area, with works now completed at Bridge 143, Millness, and the Crooklands feeder.

We also continue to monitor other areas where we believe water is being lost from the canal. While water levels remain low, we are pleased to report that levels now appear to be stabilising. The repair work undertaken is beginning to have a positive impact, and we are hopeful that conditions will continue to improve. 

We understand the impact this situation is having on our boating customers and would like to reassure everyone that we are continuing to explore all available options to improve water availability across the canal. Conditions will continue to be closely monitored and reviewed on a regular basis. Although water levels have stabilised, we encourage customers to remain prepared for the possibility of future restrictions or closures should conditions deteriorate or water levels fail to recover sufficiently.

We would like to thank customers for their continued patience and understanding during this period.

The next update will be provided on or before Monday 17 August.

Over the weekend we have continued our efforts to improve water levels with work around Tewitfield. Our teams have been carrying out repairs to known leaks, clearing vegetation that may be restricting water movement, and are working on sealing several leaks that were identified during ongoing investigations. We have also continued to monitor areas where we believe water is being lost from the canal.

Whilst water levels remain low we are pleased to report that we believe that water levels are stabilising. The rainfall over the weekend will have contributed positively to the situation and helped support water levels, and the work that we have been doing we know is starting to impact.  With further rainfall forecast in the next few days we believe this will continue but are unclear to what degree.

We understand the impact this situation is having on our boating customers and would like to reassure everyone that we are continuing to explore all available options to improve water availability.

We will continue to closely monitor conditions and review the situation regularly. Although levels have stabilised, we would still encourage customers to be prepared for the possibility of future restrictions or closures, should conditions worsen or if water levels fail to recover.   This includes:

• Emptying waste tanks
• Filling water and fuel tanks
• Stocking up on essential supplies
• Considering relocating your boat to areas with services
• Returning to your home mooring where appropriate

  Services are available at:   Cadley (Bridge 12) – Waterpoint, Elsan & Refuse Disposal Bilsborrow (Bridge 44–45) – Waterpoint, Elsan & Refuse Disposal Moss Lane (Bridge 63) – Waterpoint, Elsan & Refuse Disposal Tewitfield (Bridge 138) – Waterpoint, Elsan, Pump Out & Refuse Disposal

If you are unable to move your boat, require assistance, or have any specific needs, please contact our North West Customer Support Team on 0303 040 4040.

A further update will be on or before 3 August   The Ribble and Glasson flight will also remain closed until water levels improve, to see more please see our notices below:

• Glasson Flight
• Ribble Link

     

Over the last week we have been completing repairs to known leaks and undertaking further investigations of the canal around Tewitfield where we believe that we are losing water.  This is all being compounded by the persistent dry weather meaning that many inflows to the canal have dried up. Unfortunately, despite these efforts we have not yet been able increase water levels. We understand how this is impacting our boating customers. We want to assure you that we are looking at all avenues to increase water levels in the canal and are seeking emergency abstraction consent, alongside our continue efforts for repairs. We are continually monitoring the situation and will review again on Monday 27 July when the impact of any rain this weekend which is forecast will be evident, and we can provide a further update.

Over the weekend we would encourage you to prepare for the possibility that the canal may need to close in the relative near future. This includes: ·       Emptying waste tanks ·       Filling up water and fuel tanks ·       Stocking up on essential supplies ·       Considering relocating your boat to areas with services. ·       Or returning to your moorings   Our services are located at: ·       Cadley (Bridge 12): Waterpoint, Elsan & Refuse disposal ·       Bilsborrow (Bridge 44-Bridge 45): Waterpoint, Elsan & Refuse disposal ·       Moss Lane (Bridge 63) Waterpoint, Elsan & Refuse disposal ·       Tewitfield (Bridge 138): Waterpoint, Elsan, Pump Out & Refuse disposal   If you are stuck and unable to move, require assistance or have any specific needs you should contact our North West Customer Support Team on T:0303 040 4040

A further update will be provided on Monday 27 July  

Navigation remains restricted between Bridge 11 and Bridge 177 on the Lancaster Canal due to ongoing low water levels. Boaters are advised to navigate with caution and, where possible, remain in the centre of the canal to reduce the risk of grounding.

We are currently feeding water from Killington Reservoir into the Lancaster Canal via the Crooklands Feeder. However, a number of leakages have been identified which is currently reducing the water feed into the canal. Our teams will be on site today at Tewitfield to carry out grouting works to reduce any further water loss. We have also instructed specialist contractors to undertake further investigations to identify any additional leaks that may be impacting water levels along the canal.

During this notice period, boaters within this location that are affected by these restrictions will not receive overstaying notifications from our Licensing Team due to the current circumstances.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and take all practical measures to support navigation. The restriction will remain in place until water levels have recovered sufficiently to allow normal navigation.

A further update will be provided on or before Thursday, 30 July

Following a review of the current situation, navigation will now be restricted and not closed, between Bridge 11 and Bridge 177 on the Lancaster Canal.

However all boaters are requested to navigate through the centre of the Canal wherever possible to reduce the risk of grounding.

We will continue to monitor the situation daily and will provide fortnightly updates, or sooner if conditions change.

As soon as the water levels have replenished, restrictions will be lifted.

Navigation is closed due to low water levels from the dry weather we have recently been experiencing from Bridge 11 to Bridge 177,  on the Lancaster Canal.

We will continue to monitor the situation daily and will provide fortnightly updates, or sooner if conditions change.

As soon as the water levels have replenished enough to allow safe navigation, restrictions will be lifted.

A further update will be provided on or before Thursday, 23 July