Tourism blow for region as worst drought for century closes canal in peak season

Boats will be unable to use the 60-mile stretch from Gargrave in North Yorkshire to Wigan owing to severe shortages of rainfall which have left feeder reservoirs extremely low.

British Waterways has described the move as "highly unusual" but says it has been left with no alternative. It is the first time a canal has been closed owing to drought since the mid-1990s.

The canal is supplied by water from seven reservoirs in the North West which were brimful in February but have since seen levels plunge. The supplies are being shut off and stop planks are being put in place in the canal in a move to protect fish and other wildlife.

The closure comes at the busiest time of the year and affects the most scenic part of the route over the Pennines, hitting eight boating businesses.

Bryon and Elizabeth Kent, of Hartshead, near Liversedge in West Yorkshire, had planned to travel to Liverpool on the canal.

But they were forced to turn back at Burscough in Lancashire when the decision was made to close the canal last month.

Mr Kent said yesterday he was not surprised at the decision as the couple had seen very low levels in local reservoirs.

He said one lock keeper had estimated it would take round-the-clock rainfall for a month to restore depleted reserves.

"It's terrible – levels are well down," he said. "You can understand why it's being closed – the reservoirs have got no water at all."

He said the couple, who have been on board their boat Jennia for the last three weeks, now plan to head back towards Huddersfield on an alternative route.

British Waterways says the remainder of the 200-year-old canal remains open as these stretches are fed by rivers.

Towpaths will stay open but people are being urged to stay away from the edge.

It is warning the Rochdale Canal, which is also fed by reservoirs, could be the next affected, leading to the closure of that and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. For up-to-date information visit www.waterscape.com or telephone 0113 281 6850.