PaulJ

On the brightside- the N Stratford is surprisingly good considering unlike the Southern end. The Leicester between Watford and North Kilworth was another that strangely you would expect to be terrible but was actually OK. Well when I say good- I actually mean not that much worse than usual -Enjoy 😀

Reckon the Bascote Locks beat the Calcutt ones on leaks as the only pound that was noticably lower was the one between Bascote and Itchington. Lots of people shouting at me to tell me it was low on that pound as I passed 😀

Shut from yesterday- I phoned up CRT to try and get through as I was almost there by the time I saw the notice (about 10.45 am) Problem is that they have fixed the pumps - and it didnt help. Guessing it had only actually stayed open as Long Itchington was shut. Heading for ABNB at North Kilworth.

Not as much as it buggared mine 😀 Decided I didnt want to do Hatton in the heat due to the time restrictions on the flight so dodged going down Lapworth (again) in favour of the B&F /Coventry. More miles-less locks. Bad move as I ended up doing Farmers, Aston, Garrisons (and had to refill half of it)and Camp Hill today and still got Knowle/Hatton to do tomorrow in the heat 😀

Think theres been a few stuck outside the tunnel. I assume the problem is somewhere in the pound thats below the tunnel pound. Surprised at how quick CRT shut it down though-would have expected at least a bit of warning to give folks half a chance to avoid/attempt to get through. Imagine its playing havoc with the hire bases.

Shame Id just done Farmers and got to the bottom of the Aston flight before finding this out..😀 Navigation Closure Update Minworth Lock Flight Details Type: Navigation Closure Waterway(s): Birmingham & Fazeley Canal From: 16 June 2025, 2:20pm To: On-going Region: West Midlands Reason: Low Water Levels Subject to review on: 25 July 2025 Location Closest waterway: Birmingham & Fazeley Canal Starts at: Lock 1, Minworth Ends at: Lock 3, Minworth Upstream winding hole: Salford Junction Downstream winding hole: Minworth Greaves Descriptions Update 11 July 2025, 8:36am Due to ongoing low water levels and despite recent pump repair efforts, we have made the decision to temporarily close the Minworth Lock Flight. Boats continue to become stuck in the area, and unfortunately, the pump repairs have not resolved the issue. Our teams are monitoring the situation closely and will reopen the flight as soon as it is safe to do so. We will provide further updates as more information becomes available. Update 3 July 2025, 2:23pm We are continuing to experience challenges in raising water levels, which has led to some boats having difficulty navigating through the area. Replacement parts for the pumps are scheduled to be installed on Tuesday. We anticipate that these works will improve the pumps' performance and overall water management. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates once received. Original 16 June 2025, 2:35pm Please be advised that we are currently experiencing low water levels at Minworth and Curdworth Lock Flight. While pumps have been activated to increase water levels, they are currently overheating and require repairs. As such, we do not recommend boat travel through this area after 2:30 PM, as boats may be at risk of becoming grounded. Assistance from our on-call team may be necessary if boats become stuck. We are in the process of arranging the replacement of the pump control panels. An update will be provided once a timeframe for repair has been confirmed. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time. Information You can view this notice and its map online here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/019778e7-d7f7-7bc9-b359-32fce420e6e0 You can find all notices at the url below: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices The Canal & River Trust is a charity registered with the Charity Commission no. 1146792 and a company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales no. 07807276. Please do not reply to the email. It has been automatically generated. To unsubscribe from this service please go to: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/my-trust/notices and uncheck the relevant box.

OPEN

I know this has been posted on another thread but thought this may make it easier for anyone looking for info.. Presently sat (since yesterday) at Lapworth and cannot really understand this. Is the section below Lock 22 fed from a different source to the North Stratford/Knowle to Hatton pound? The North Stratford was suprisingly high with bywashes running the whole length yesterday. There has been no sign of anyone running any water down from Lock 22 so assume CRT are waiting for it to fill further down via whatever goes over the bywashes. Anyone on here stuck further down? Latest update from CRT Navigation Closure Update Lock 22 (Lapworth) to Red Lion (Stratford) Details Type: Navigation Closure Waterway(s): South Stratford Canal From: 6 July 2025 10:01 am To: On-going Region: West Midlands Reason: Low Water Levels Subject to review on: 9 July 2025 Location Closest waterway: South Stratford Canal Starts at: Lock 22 Ends at: Red Lion Descriptions Update 8 July 2025 9:56 am Please note that navigation on the South Stratford Canal remains closed due to ongoing low water levels. Our team attempted to refill the pounds yesterday; however, on returning this morning, they found that a paddle had been wound up overnight, resulting in the pounds being emptied once again. As a result, the canal will need to remain closed today while we continue efforts to restore water levels. We understand the inconvenience this causes and are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly and safely as possible. A further update will be provided tomorrow (Wednesday 9th July.)

Despite what the stoppage notice shows, you can get between Brum centre and Garrisons no problem. Plenty of water between Ashted and Garrisons

Nope but if it is pumped its a bloody useless one as the second pound down is always empty with the wb in there high and dry 😀

For anyone thinking of trying it, it wasnt that terrible. Mostly. Pound between Curdworth lock no 2 and No 1 was particulary low. Much scraping, tilting over and I did get well stuck in the Bridge hole until I let down a couple of lockfuls from No 1. Could have made it easier but I didnt want to drop the pound above No 1. It was all a bit pointless really as I just got to Minworth as CRT announced the Camp Hill Closure, followed ten minutes later by closure of that whole section of GU due to lack of water. Still trying to work out if the pound between Camp Hill /Bordesley Junction and Ashted is passable or not as this is now the only possible route through left other than going back!

Thanks @RAB Thats very useful, appreciated and confirmed what I was told by another boat (Cheers to @GRLMK38 for the headsup-as a bonus met up with them last night too) Having taken the decision to reroute on my way to Stratford on Avon, to avoid the Stockton stoppage , I really didnt want to go the long way round to get even more stuck 😀

Anyone been through Minworth/Curdworth recently ? Appreciate any info. Notice hasnt been updated since 16th June, I was told its low but still presumably passable as it hasnt been closed or pumps repaired. Yet. Ive got approx 27" inch draught so nothing too challenging he says optimistically.

We will pass somewhere as Im collecting from Saltford on Sunday on my way to Stratford on Avon. Thames funnily enough has caused me the most problems this year so far with me arriving at various locks and unable to get through until someone comes along to reset them/ turn the power back on- Whitchurch has had to have divers come to it several times when debris stuck in the silt keeps the gates from shutting.

Ive just left the K&A-came on at Reading and finished at Keysham. Ive also done Devizes to the Thames several times since April. Its not bad at the moment- Burghfield lock is due to be repaired soon and at present CRT are assisting boats through- its a bit of a buggar getting a level on it. Swinesford is by far the worst lock if you go that far. Took me about an hour and still had to winch a gate open as the last 5-6 inches didnt seem to get any less!