Broken pump closes Grand Union

Published: Monday, 09 July 2018

A PUMP failure at Camp Hill Flight on the Grand Union Canal in Birmingham means the pound towards Knowle Locks is short of water.

The pound between the two sets of locks, commonly known as the 'ten miles', is now closed to navigation Keith Gudgin tells us.

Decided on the Birmingham & Fazeley

The pump in question supplies both the Grand Union and the Birmingham & Fazeley canals but Canal & River Trust has decided to close the Grand Union to enable the Birmingham & Fazeley to remain open.

This is because there are two pumps supplying water, but with only one pump working it is understood the decision was made to allow the Birmingham & Fazeley to remain open as only a narrow canal. Even then the water is low, so deep draughted boats are advised to 'look for an alternative route'.