Drought forces closures of England’s canal routes, canceling boat holidays

Water shortages and funding cuts mean locks on major canals will shut for weeks, disrupting leisure industry.

iNews reports that England’s canal network is under threat as the Canal & River Trust plans to restrict or close locks on the Grand Union, Oxford and Coventry canals due to drought and low reservoir levels:contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}.

Boat holiday operators have been forced to cancel trips because waterways on three key holiday routes may be shut for weeks, while other regions have already faced closures:contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}.

The trust says climate change and funding pressures could make such closures permanent and warns of a national water shortfall.

The situation underscores the impact of extreme weather on tourism and inland navigation.