Repairs brought forward while locks are closed

Foxton Locks closed to boats on 29 July due to drought

Repair works are being carried out at Foxton Locks while it is temporarily closed to boats due to a drought.

The Canal and River Trust said it was taking the opportunity to bring forward some "vital" planned repair works to "minimise future disruption for boaters and local businesses".

The Grade II listed site, near Market Harborough in Leicestershire, was temporarily closed on 29 July.

As part of the work, some paddles that are opened and closed to regulate the flow of water into lock chambers will be replaced, while gaps will be filled in the canal wall to prevent leaks.

Teams will be replacing the paddles that release water from special side ponds into locks 10 and 17, the trust said, improving the flow of water into each lock.

These locks and side ponds will need to be drained for these works to take place.

Adam Comerford, national hydrology manager at the trust, said: "In terms of reopening we really do need sustained rain, probably for weeks rather than days, to get our water resource position back up to sufficient holding in our reservoirs and sufficient levels in our canals to be able to reopen to boating."

Paddles are being replaced at the locks during the work

The closure of the locks came after a drought was officially declared in the East Midlands earlier in the month, resulting in a 65-mile (104.6km) detour for boats to go round the closed locks.

Aaron Atwal, regional operations manager for the trust, said: "These repairs were already in our plan but, with the locks closed to boats due to drought conditions, we've found a way to bring work forward so that we minimise disruption to boaters and businesses in the future."

Harborough District Council has supported the Trust with a £10,000 contribution from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).