Repairs to the canal lock in Beeston, Nottinghamshire, have been delayed until 27 March 2026 following an incident where fish and European eels died at the site. The Canal & River Trust was originally meant to finish the work by mid-March, but a leak in a temporary dam caused wildlife to become stranded.
The problem began when a dam used during the maintenance started to leak, allowing fish to swim back into the pound below the lock. According to reports from narrowboat resident David Bramley, the fish were trapped when pumps were turned back on after the dam was fixed.
This has resulted in the deaths of several fish and eels at the lock, which sits on the Nottingham & Beeston Canal. Eels are currently listed as a critically endangered species, making the loss particularly significant for the local environment.
The National Association of Boat Owners has been notified of the situation while barriers remain in place at the site. This work is part of a wider winter repair programme that maintains the 2,000-mile network of waterways across England and Wales.
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