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PLANNING A CRUISE?
Summer opening times
Frankton Locks
Summer Opening 2023 (3rd April to 30th October 2023)
Booking is required for passage through the locks and must be made no later than the day before passage bookings are not accepted on the day.
Opening Times: 09:00 13:00 daily.
Please note that a return passage must be entered at time of booking.
There is a minimum of 1 day and a maximum of 14 days after you have entered onto the Montgomery Canal.
Please arrive at the locks anytime between 09:00 and 13:00.
There will be no passage outside of these opening times.
Harecastle Tunnel
Summer Opening Times (1 March 2023 31 October 2023)
Open passages are available 08:00 12:00 Monday to Sunday. Unbooked (Open) passage boats must arrive at the tunnel portal between 8am and 12 noon. There is no guarantee of passage for arrivals after 12 noon unless prebooked online.
Bookable passages are available as follows:
◊ North to South (Kidsgrove to Tunstall) – 14:00 & 16:00
◊ South to North (Tunstall to Kidsgrove) – 15:00
All bookings must be made in advance at least the day before.
Bookings can be made online at https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoythewaterways/boating/goboating/planningyourboatroute/bookingyourpassageonline. Alternatively, you can call CRT on 0303 0404040.
Passage is only permitted with a working horn and tunnel light; at present CRT is unable to lend such items.
Anderton Boat Lift
Summer Opening Times (1st May to 1st November 2023)
The Lift will be operating 7 days a week: 09:15 16:30. Weekly routine inspections will be carried out on the Lift every Thursday until 12 noon.
The lift will be closed to facilitate routine inspections and hydraulic tests on the first Thursday of each month, this will affect the following dates during the remainder of the summer season, 6 July, 3 August, 7 September & 5 October.
All bookings must be made in advance. Bookings can not be taken onsite. Bookings can be made online or by calling CRT on 0303 0404040.
Next available slot on the day is free of charge, however this passage is subject to availability, otherwise, charges for passage do apply. You will be charged the full amount should you fail to turn up for your booked passage.
It is important that all boats travelling through the Lift have the correct license, a valid Boat Safety Certificate and insurance. Please make sure your details are up to date prior to booking as these will be checked during the booking sequence. Please ensure that you arrive at the holding area 30 minutes before the scheduled passage for visual boat check and safety briefing.
Vale Royal, Hunts, Saltersford and Dutton Locks Weaver Navigation
As we finalise this issue of the magazine, there are several issues with bridges and locks on the Weaver Navigation as follows:
Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge: Bridge can not be swung. Passage restricted to boats with air draught no greater than 9ft 0in (2.74m)
Acton Swing Bridge: Bridge can not be swung. Passage restricted to boats with air draught no greater than 7ft 6in (2.3m)
Vale Royal Lock: Navigation closed due to fault with bridge
Some would not affect most boaters reading this (unless you have a tall boat) but it is worth checking the latest situation on the CRT
Summer Opening Times (5th April to 30th October 2023)
From Wednesday, 5 April till and inclusive of, Monday, 30 October, lock keepers will be onsite to operate the 4 locks 7 days a week, as per the following times. No booking required.
◊ Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 17:00. Last entry at 16:30
Saturdays, Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays: 08:00 – 18:00.
Last entry at 17:30
For lock passages on 31 October, bookings will need to be made 48hours in advance. To book passages, please call the North West Customer Service Team on 0303 040 4040.
