Wolverhampton Lock Flight will close to boats amid 'exceptionally dry conditions' and low water levels
A Wolverhampton canal line will be closed off in the coming days due to low water levels after severe hot and dry weather.
The Canal and River Trust has said that from Wednesday (July 30) the Wolverhampton Lock Flight will be closed to navigation until sufficient rainfall replenishes the reservoirs.
It said the measure is necessary to protect vital water resources on the Wolverhampton Level, which supports several other parts of the Birmingham Canal Navigations.
The closure will be in place from Bottom Lock 21 near Aldersley Junction to Top Lock 1 just north of the Broad Street Bridge.
A spokesperson for the Canal and River Trust said: "We have continued to monitor the exceptionally dry conditions, and the impact on our reservoirs. Unfortunately, despite all our operational efforts, as rainfall has remained well below the long-term average, water levels in our feeder reservoirs are continuing to fall due to canal water demands."
The Rushall Lock Flight is already closed to boats due to the exceptionally dry weather, as is the Ryders Green Lock Flight in Walsall.
A statement on the Canal and River Trust website said: "If there is enough rain to allow safe navigation, restrictions will be lifted immediately. However, this is likely to require sustained and prolonged rainfall over several weeks, rather than a single heavy downpour.
"We understand that this continues to be disappointing news, and our priority is to reopen the canal to full navigation as soon as possible. We thank you for your support in reducing water use across our network, and reporting leaks or concerns."
Report issues to the Canal and River Trust on 0303 040 4040 or the Contact Us page on the trust's website.
The Met Office forecast is calling for mainly dry, hot conditions over the coming week, with maybe some showers.
