A SHUTDOWN of the canal network in East Lancashire is set to continue for the forseeable future - despite recent heavy rainfalls.

Water levels in the likes of Barrowford and Foulridge reservoirs, which serves the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, are still "extremely low", according to the Canal and River Trust (CART).

One marina owner says that the restrictions, first introduced at the end of July, have been "frustrating". But he hopes the ban on movement will be lifted during October.

In their latest drought update, a CART spokesman said: "Although some rainfall has occurred over recent weeks, low levels of rainfall have persisted throughout August and are forecasted to continue through the latter part of September.

"This has impacted on the reservoir holdings, which are still extremely low. At least five weeks of prolonged rainfall would be required before holdings were to reach a sustainable water level to consider reopening of the Leeds and Liverpool.

"It is anticipated that it is unlikely that the canal will reopen between Wigan Flight and Gargrave (near Skipton) until at least the end of October, possibly later if we don’t experience any significant and prolonged rainfall over the coming weeks."

The Blackburn Flight, Barrowford Locks and Greenberfield Locks, near Colne, are among those which have been padlocked and the gates have been "ashed" up to reduce the threat of leaks.

Canal bosses say they have been using the enforced closure to undertake a series of lock repairs, vegetation removal and pointing works.

Repairs to one of the locks at Greenberfield have been brought forward from their winter works programme, it has been confirmed.

Jason Fildes, managing director of Reedley Marina, said: "It has been frustrating because we've heard about boats trying to reach us from other parts of the canal network.

"But we are hopeful that the restrictions will be lifted in October."

Reservoir levels for the Leeds and Liverpool had dropped by nearly 12 per cent from July to August. But the rate recovered slightly, by nearly seven per cent, from August through to September.

However they are only still less than 30 per cent full, according to CART's own figures.

For the north west, the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology says it was the fourth driest May to August period since records began in 1910.