Drought To Force Canal Closure

The canal past Market Harborough is to close to through-boats as drought conditions impact the Grand Union Canal.

The Leicester Line of the waterway – from Watford in Northamptonshire to  Leicester – will shut next week.

The Canal and River Trust has taken the decision to conserve water at locks, due to dwindling supplies at its reservoir holdings, including Saddington Reservoir.

Dwindling water supplies like at Saddington Reservoir has prompted the move

Restrictions have also been imposed this week on when boats can navigate the flight of locks at Foxton Locks, ahead of the full canal closure.

A spokesman for the Trust said: “The driest spring since 1893 and the continued exceptionally dry weather (despite storms over the weekend) are putting pressure on our reservoir holdings.

“We’ve made the difficult decision to temporarily close the Leicester Line (Grand Union Canal) from Watford Lock 1 to Kings Lock 38, to navigation, effective from Tuesday 29 July 2025 at 4pm. This includes Foxton Locks.

“While the closure is in place locks will be closed, but boaters will be free to cruise along pounds between winding places – this includes the 22 mile pound between Watford Lock flight and Foxton Lock flight.

“In order to help us conserve water and maintain safe navigation, we’re introducing restricted opening times for boats heading through Foxton Locks.

“From today the locks will be open from 10am to 3pm, with last boat in at 2.15pm.

“Of course, Foxton Locks is still a great place for people to visit with fantastic pubs, cafes and the amazing Foxton Canal Museum, where people can really delve into their local history.

“There’s also some great walks where people can get closer to nature and explore the wonder of the locks – so we’re really looking forward to welcoming people over the summer holidays.”

Foxton Locks

The Harborough Arm of the canal from Union Wharf to Foxton will be unaffected as there are no locks on the stretch, so boats will still be able to navigate up and down, but won’t be able to go through any locks when they join the main line of the canal at Foxton.

The Canal and River Trust is also planning to use the closure of the main waterway to carry out vital maintenance to the flight of locks at Foxton.