Boaters are racing to beat canal closures as waterways experience low water levels due to extreme heat. Some channels in the Midlands and North of England have lost several inches of water, leaving narrowboats stranded or at risk of being marooned for weeks.
The Canal and River Trust (CRT) is implementing lock closures to conserve dwindling supplies. For example, locks on the Coventry Canal in Warwickshire are due to shut on Tuesday morning, with last entry on Monday afternoon.
Campaigner George Seward, Midlands regional chair of the Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs, is cruising from early morning until dark to get his narrowboat through the Atherstone flight of locks before they close. He estimates several hundred boaters are facing similar decisions.
Nici Griffin, a continuous cruiser, is also trying to get ahead of closures on the Grand Union at Hatton. She noted that in addition to low water, a lock repair has caused a stoppage, further complicating travel.
Alan Berry, whose narrowboat is moored in Tamworth, reported that the water in the Coventry Canal is nearly 10 inches down, leaving his boat unable to move. The CRT stated it is doing all it can to save water and move available supplies, apologising for the disruption.