Canal & River Trust is preparing engineering work across thirty-three navigations in England and Wales during the winter of 2026–27. The programme announced on 25 September includes replacement of at least 136 lock gate leaves, with projects scheduled between November and March when fewer recreational boats are ordinarily on the waterways.
A substantial winter maintenance programme
Canal & River Trust is preparing engineering work across thirty-three navigations in England and Wales during the winter of 2026–27. The programme announced on 25 September includes replacement of at least 136 lock gate leaves, with projects scheduled between November and March when fewer recreational boats are ordinarily on the waterways.
This is significant for anyone planning a narrowboat journey through winter. Major work helps preserve navigation in the longer term, but individual sites may require temporary closures or restricted access. A route that appears open in a summer cruising guide may not be continuously navigable once seasonal engineering begins.
Large structures and historic lock flights
Among the most substantial replacements are the safety gates at Purton on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, where individual leaves exceed six metres in height and width. Other planned works include locks on the Marple Flight of the Peak Forest Canal, Stoke Bruerne on the Grand Union, and the Wigan Flight of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.
The programme also includes stop locks at Autherley Junction and Hawkesbury. Unlike conventional locks that change the elevation of a boat, many historic stop locks were built to control the movement of water between canal companies. Their conservation preserves evidence of the waterways’ original commercial history alongside their present recreational function.
Fifteen gates supported by lottery players
The charity also describes fifteen new lock gates funded through Postcode Lottery support, marking fifteen years of its relationship with the programme. The investment reflects the specialist nature of traditional gate building, with timber structures made to suit individual chambers rather than taken from a stock of interchangeable parts.
A repaired gate may look similar to the old one, but the work can involve cills, masonry and associated water-control structures. Delays may occur if teams discover hidden damage after draining a chamber. Boat crews should not regard a published start or completion date as fixed in all circumstances.
Planning around works and changing weather
The 2026 programme follows a summer drought that put pressure on water supplies and prompted some repairs to be brought forward. The combination of low-water management and winter flooding risk means the annual maintenance calendar can change in response to conditions. The Trust maintains stoppage information to help users track affected routes.
Anyone contemplating an off-season canal cruise should build flexibility into the itinerary, check bridge and lock notices before each major stage, and arrange suitable mooring alternatives. Winter maintenance may temporarily interrupt journeys, but it is part of the work required to keep a historic network available for future boating seasons. Boat clubs and hire operators may also need to adjust planned cruises, boat movements and winter servicing around these works. Checking where engineering is taking place can help avoid unnecessary travel or last-minute changes to a carefully arranged holiday.
Source
Canal & River Trust