OXFORD CANAL IS THE LATEST navigation to be closed through lack of water.
Unless the water situation improves it will be closed from Monday the 21st July, Keith Gudgin reports.
No navigation
This will mean there will be no navigation from Claydon Top Lock 17 to Cropredy Lock 25.
Canal & River Trust stating that unfortunately, despite all its operational efforts, as rainfall has remained well below the long-term average water levels in feeder reservoirs are continuing to fall due to canal water demands.
It can now confirm that, from 4pm on Monday 21st July 2025, the following locks will close to navigation until there is enough rainfall to replenish our reservoirs:
Locks closed
Claydon Flight, Elkington's Lock. Varneys Lock, Broadmoor Lock and Cropredy Lock.
These closures are necessary to protect the limited water resources and give the navigation an opportunity to recover.