TODAY SEES a further reduction in the waterways that can be cruised.
As Canal & River Trust has closed four more lock flights in its attempt to save water, Keith Gudgin reports.
New Main Line
Brades Lock Flight on the Gower Branch of the New Main Line will be closed at 10am this morning. This flight is locks 1 to 3.
The normal reason now given concerning little rain and reservoirs too low to supply water.
Old Main Line
Smethwick Lock Flight on the Old Main Line is also closed this morning, Friday, locks 1 to 3. Again at 10am.
With the same reason given for the closure.
Wolverhampton Level
Spon Lane Lock Flight will also be closed at 10am today, with again the three locks 1 to 3.
Again the same reason of lack of water is given for the closure.
Birmingham & Fazeley
This time it is Aston Lock Flight in Birmingham locks 1 to 11 that will be closed, again at 10am. And the normal reason of lack of water.
These particular closures are making it very difficult for boats to get to the Brownhills Festival next weekend, especially as the Wolverhampton Flight is also closed.
In the meantime the trust has told the BBC: The majority of the network was 'open and fully navigable'.