Marsh Lock

Since our last update, contractors have completed their inspections and mechanical parts have now been ordered; however, as these parts are being manufactured, delivery is expected to take up to five weeks.

Unfortunately, due to a mechanical fault being found, we are currently unable to offer manual passages through the lock, as we had originally hoped.

A further update will be provided on or before Friday 23 October

Since our last update contactors have been onsite today to undertake works on the bottom gates and found additional mechanical components are required to complete the works. The parts are being ordered but will take 5 weeks to be manufactured and delivered.

In the meantime, our teams will be making an inspection of the lock gates next week to see if it will be possible to manually operate one side of the lock gates to allow limited passages through the lock.

A further update will be provided on or before Friday 18 September.

Since our last update contractors have been on site today to install electrical motors that operate the lock gates to the Manchester Ship Canal, while carrying out this installation other parts are required and have now been ordered. The contractors will attend site on Friday 11 September to complete the repairs.

Our team have experienced delays in completing the repairs to the bearing of the other lock gate due to needing to source additional parts that are required to complete repairs.

A further update will be provided on or before Friday 11 September.

Navigation is currently closed at Marsh Lock following a further fault affecting the Manchester Ship Canal, lock gate. The lock gate has become inoperable due to a fault with the gearing mechanism.

Engineers are currently on site carrying investigating the fault. Repair works are continuing to the drive shaft and bearings of the other lock gate; repairs are anticipated to be completed by the end next week.

Navigation will remain closed while investigations and repairs are carried out.

A further update will be provided on or before 9 September.

Navigation is currently closed at Marsh Lock due to a fault affecting the drive shaft and bearings which are connected to the mechanism that assists with the operation of both lock gates.

Our engineering team has been notified and will attend site to carry out their inspections.

Our North West Customer Service Team has contacted all customers with existing bookings. If you require any further assistance, please contact the team on 03030 404040, where they will be happy to help.

A further update will be provided on or before 1 September 2026.

Marsh Lock remains restricted to vessels less than 6 metres wide while further repairs are carried out.

Repairs to the second lock gate are ongoing. Following further inspection, it was identified that the drive shaft and bearing connected to the mechanism that assists with the operation of the lock gate require additional repair work. This has resulted in a delay to the completion of the repairs. Our team is working hard to complete the work and restore normal navigation as soon as possible.

If you would like to make a new booking or discuss an existing booking, our North West Customer Service Team will be happy to help on 03030 404040.

A further update will be provided on or before Thursday 3 September 2026.

Repairs to one of the lock gates have now been completed, meaning the lock is no longer fully closed. However, navigation through Marsh Lock remains restricted to vessels less than 6 metres wide while further repairs are carried out.

Our contractors are scheduled to be on site from Tuesday 4 August to Thursday 6 August 2026 to undertake repairs to the second gate. We are aiming to complete these works by 4:00pm on Thursday 6 August and return the lock to full operation, subject to the successful completion of the repairs.

If you'd like to make a new booking or discuss an existing one, our North West Customer Service Team will be happy to help on 03030 404040.

A further update will be provided on or before Friday 7 August 2026.

During further inspections at Marsh Lock, we have identified faults affecting both tail gates on the Weaver Navigation side and further investigations have identified a fault on the island-side gate, which is suspected to be due to a bearing failure. We are currently awaiting replacement parts for the towpath-side gate.

Due to these additional faults, navigation through Marsh Lock will be closed.

Our contractors are assessing the situation and planning the necessary repairs. Work will be scheduled as soon as the necessary parts and resources are available.

A further update will be provided on or before Friday, 31 July 2026.

Navigation at Marsh Lock on the Weaver Navigation is currently restricted to vessels less than 6 metres wide due to a fault with the lock mechanism.

Our local teams are on site carrying out repairs to the lock mechanism. Due to the size and complexity of these sea lock gates, these repairs are more extensive than those required for a standard lock gate and will therefore take longer to complete. We are aiming to have the repairs completed and the lock returned to full operation within the next two weeks.

If you'd like to make a new booking or discuss an existing one, our North West Customer Service Team will be happy to help on 03030 404040.

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