Lock Operating Times: Poolstock Lock 1 & Lock 2, Leigh Branch and Lock 86, Wigan, Leeds & Liverpool Canal

Since the re-opening of the Leeds & Liverpool canal to allow customers to return back to moorings for the winter, we have seen a significant increase in the reservoirs that supply of the canal following the recent rainfall.

From Monday 31 October, navigation will remain open, without restriction, through Poolstock Locks 1 & 2 on the Leigh Branch and Lock 86 on the Leeds & Liverpool canal until further notice.

Please be reminded, the planned winter works programme starts week commencing Monday 7 November with closures implemented across the winter period. Please check your route for any upcoming closures that may affect your journey.

Our teams will continue to monitor our reservoir holdings, and this will remain under review.

Following our update on the re-opening of the Leeds & Liverpool canal, to allow customers to return back to moorings for the winter, Poolstock Locks 1 & 2, Leigh Branch, and Lock 86 on the Leeds & Liverpool canal will open for passage from 10am till 4pm on Monday 17 October. This will also open for a period of 2 weeks, closing again on Monday 31 October, with last passage on Sunday 30 October.

Any customers with a current booking through Poolstock Locks and Lock 86 during this period will still be honoured, though passage will not be assisted, and alternatively, you are able to travel during the open period on an alternative day. Please contact our North West Customer Support Team on 0303 040 4040 should you have any queries regarding your booking.

Bookings through Poolstock Locks 1 & 2, Leigh Branch, and Lock 86 on the Leeds & Liverpool canal will then resume from Monday 31 October, on Mondays and Fridays only.

Please note, passage through these locks will be closed during the planned winter works to Lock 87, you can see more about this, here:

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/22254-lock-87-wigan-flight-bottom-lock

Despite some recent rainfall, it has not been enough to impact on the reservoirs that supply water to the Leeds & Liverpool canal. To allow us to conserve as much as water as possible, we will be reducing the available bookings for Poolstock Locks 1 & 2 on the Leigh Branch and Lock 86 on the Leeds & Liverpool canal from Monday 29 August.

Poolstock Locks 1 & 2 on the Leigh Branch and Lock 86 on the Leeds & Liverpool canal will open 2 days a week, for pre-arranged bookings only, as follows:

• Mondays - 10am only
• Thursdays - 10am only

Customers with a 2pm booking already in place are being contacted direct by our North West Support Team and will be moved to the 10am slot of the same day.

Bookings for these 3 locks can be made online, selecting passage “Wigan Poolstock”, or by calling 0303 040 4040. Please note this booking will include all 3 locks.

We are pleased to advise water levels have increased and the pounds have replenished at Lock 1 and Lock 2, Poolstock, on the Leigh Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

Restricted navigation will resume from Monday 25 July as per the following pre-arranged passage times:

• Mondays, 10am and 2pm
• Thursdays, 10am and 2pm

Bookings for these 3 locks can be made online, selecting passage “Wigan Poolstock”, or by calling 0303 040 4040. Please note this booking will include all 3 locks.

Please be advised navigation remains closed at Lock 1 and Lock 2, Poolstock, on the Leigh Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal due to low water levels as a result of the extreme weather.

Our teams are continuing to conduct water management duties and are closely monitoring the levels.

A further update will be provided Friday, 22 July. 

Please be advised navigation is currently closed at Lock 1 and Lock 2, Poolstock, on the Leigh Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal due to low water levels as a result of the extreme weather. To allow the water levels to recuperate, padlocks will be placed on the locks.

If you already have an upcoming booking, our teams may need to contact you to rearrange. Please watch out for communications from our North West team. If you would like to cancel your booking, please call the team on 0303 040 4040.

An update will be provided tomorrow, 21 July.

Please be advised, from Monday 18 July 2022, Poolstock Locks 1 & 2 on the Leigh Branch will close to assist with the water levels on the Leeds & Liverpool canal.

However, to enable boat movements to Ribble Link, Wigan Dry Dock, Liverpool Canal Link & Salthouse Dock, we will temporarily open Poolstock Locks 1 & 2 on the Leigh Branch and Lock 86 on the Leeds & Liverpool canal 2 days a week, for pre-arranged bookings only, as follows:

• Mondays, 10am and 2pm
• Thursdays, 10am and 2pm

Bookings for these 3 locks can be made online, selecting passage “Wigan Poolstock”, or by calling 0303 040 4040. Please note this booking will include all 3 locks.

Up until, and inclusive of Sunday 17 July, Poolstock Locks 1 & 2 will remain open for passage from 10am until 4pm, daily.

To assist in maintaining the water levels along the Leeds & Liverpool canal, we will be implementing the following opening times at Poolstock Lock 1 & Lock 2 on the Leigh Branch from tomorrow, Saturday 18 June:

• 10am till 4pm, daily.

Padlocks will be placed on the locks outside of these operating hours. 

You can see more about the opening times for the Leeds & Liverpool canal, here.