Closures and works
Third party works on the Canal
If you wish to carry out any works which require access across and/or works on or over Basingstoke Canal property this must be approved in advance, and there is likely be a fee.
Apply for access, or works on, over or under canal property
For the latest information on timescales for outstanding works please contact the office on 01252 370073 or [email protected]
Maintenance works planned on the Canal
The following is a list of the planned canal or third party maintenance works we are currently aware of. Occasionally emergency stoppages for unforeseen events occur (eg: fallen trees) - see our Facebook page for the latest updates,
For the latest information on timescales for outstanding works please contact the office on 01252 370073 or [email protected] or follow our Facebook page.
Work Description: Ash (A331) Aqueduct – channel relining and replacing expansion joints
Location: Ash (A331) Aqueduct
Date of Works: November 2024 (TBC) for 12 weeks
Effects on Towpath or Other Facility: No access to offside areas either side of aqueduct. Towpath width restrictions, and plant crossing path under supervision. Stop on contractor’s request.
Effects on Navigation: Closed Ash Wharf to Ash Lock – canal drained
Current status: Detail planning
Work Description: Ash Wharf Rail Bridge
Location: Ash Wharf Rail Bridge
Date of Works: 9 November 2024 (tbc) for 3 months
Effects on Towpath or Other Facility: Closed at certain times / dates tbc
Effects on Navigation: Closed Ash Wharf to Ash Lock – scaffolding across channel
Current status: Agreeing consents
Work Description: Annual Lock gate replacement programme
Location: Ash Lock (Lock 29) Deepcut (Lock 27) Re-planking gates at Locks 12, 13 and 14
Date of Works: Jan-March 2025
Effects on Towpath or Other Facility: Follow on site instructions from signage or staff.
Effects on Navigation: Closed at each location for duration of works
Work Description: Offside vegetation cutting
Location: Priority areas of the canal
Date of Works: Oct 2024 -Feb 2025
Effects on Towpath or Other Facility: Towpath not effected with minor cordoned off areas as required.
Effects on Navigation: Workboat with chipper in channel – slow and obey staff instructions.
Work Description: Bank protection works (Hampshire)
Location: Repair of small areas of erosion throughout Hampshire.
Date of Works: Jan - March 2025 (tbc)
Effects on Towpath or Other Facility: Towpath access will be temporarily suspended during certain operations – please obey contractor’s instructions and wait for instructions to proceed.
Effects on Navigation: Dredger / work barge in channel - slow, prepare to stop and obey contractor’s instructions
Current status: Works being prepared for tender
Work Description: Bank protection works (Double Bridge)
Location: Bridge – Double Bridge
Date of Works: Jan - March 2025
Effects on Towpath or Other Facility: Towpath access will be temporarily closed.
Effects on Navigation: Dredger / work barge in channel - slow, prepare to stop and obey contractor’s instructions. No mooring or stopping between Double Bridge and Blacksmiths Bridge.
Current status: Works being prepared for tender
Work Description: Bank protection works (Bankside, Woking)
Location: Below Lock 7
Date of Works: Jan - March 2025 (tbc)
Effects on Towpath or Other Facility: Closed
Effects on Navigation: Dredger / work barge in channel - slow, prepare to stop and obey contractor’s instructions
Current status: Works being prepared for tender
Work Description: Towpath vegetation cutting
Location: Covering as much towpath length as possible depending on staff availability.
Date of Works: Sept 2024 – March 2025
Effects on Towpath or Other Facility: Towpath access will be temporarily suspended during certain operations – please obey operator’s signage or instructions and wait for instructions to proceed.
Effects on Navigation: No Effect – unpowered boats should keep to the offside of the channel where possible when passing tractor mounted flail cutter.
Current status: Works started
Work Description: Brookwood Mooring Platform Repairs
Location: Next to Brookwood Country Park
Date of Works: TBC
Effects on Towpath or Other Facility: Moorings will be closed during works. Possible temporary access restrictions to cycle path during certain operations – please obey operator’s signage or instructions and wait for instructions to proceed.
Effects on Navigation: Potentially a work barge in channel - slow, prepare to stop and obey contractor’s instructions if necessary.
Current status: Agreeing specification
Work Description: Deepcut Towpath upgrade and widening.
Location: Lock 15 to Lock 28
Date of Works: TBC (First phase likely Jan – March 2025)
Effects on Towpath or Other Facility: Closed – diversion route not available
Effects on Navigation: None
Current status: Planning consent required (in progress). Being tendered.
Work Description: Sluice Gate Replacement
Location: Norris Sluice
Date of Works: February 2025 – 4 weeks
Effects on Towpath or Other Facility: Temporary closure and diversion
Effects on Navigation: Coffer dam in place – stop and progress only on contractor instruction
Current status: Tendered - Awaiting EA consent.
Work Description: Sluice Gate Replacement
Location: Horsell Sluice, Woking
Date of Works: TBC
Effects on Towpath or Other Facility: Temporary closure and diversion
Effects on Navigation: Coffer dam in place – stop and progress only on contractor instruction
Current status: Tendered - Awaiting contractor availability
Work Description: Scotland Rd Piling Replacement Project
Location: Offside above lock 2 by Houseboats
Date of Works: TBC
Effects on Towpath or Other Facility: Possibly temporary stoppages during lifting operations or diversions in place.
Effects on Navigation: Possible temporary closures of Navigation. However, canal will remain in water. Follow onsite signage or instruction from contractors when Navigation is open.
Current status: Awaiting update on progress
Work Description: Replacing bank protection system – Mytchett Lake
Location: Mytchett Lake Rail Bridge
Date of Works: November 2024 TBC – 5 weeks
Effects on Towpath or Other Facility: Temporary closure and diversion
Effects on Navigation: Closed
Current status: Tendered - awaiting Network Rail consents
Work Description: Installing stop plank installation
Location: Mytchett Lake Road Bridge
Date of Works: January 2025 TBC – 4 weeks
Effects on Towpath or Other Facility: Closed under bridge - minor diversion (includes steps).
Effects on Navigation: Closed
Current status: Tendered - timing tbc (interacts with other items)
Work Description: Mytchett Lake – renewal of wave wall timber
Location: Mytchett Lake
Date of Works: Oct 2024
Effects on Towpath or Other Facility: No effect
Effects on Navigation: No effect
Current status: Purchasing timber
Work Description: Towpath repairs – Broadoak
Location: Either side of Broadoak Bridge
Date of Works: TBC
Effects on Towpath or Other Facility: Closed
Effects on Navigation: Open – no mooring or stopping in work zone
Current status: Preparing specification
Work Description: Towpath repairs – North Warnborough
Location: Between Swan Bridge and North Warnborough sluice
Date of Works: TBC
Effects on Towpath or Other Facility: Closed
Effects on Navigation: Open – no mooring or stopping in work zone
Current status: Preparing specification
Work Description: Towpath Repairs – Swan Bridge
Location: Concrete apron under Swan Bridge
Date of Works: TBC
Effects on Towpath or Other Facility: Closed
Effects on Navigation: Open – no mooring or stopping in work zone
Current status: Preparing specification