Cuts lead to fears over future of iconic Five Rise Locks

The locks, one of the most impressive structures in the Bradford district and dubbed one of the “seven wonders of the waterways” is a major attraction on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, which is run by the Canal & River Trust.

The Government has recently announced that it will be reducing grant funding for the charity over ten years from 2027.

The proposed cuts will see the value of public funding for canals reduce in real terms by more than £300 million - or 40 per cent - compared to recent levels.

The Trust claims this will threaten the future of the nation’s historic canals and could lead to the eventual closure of some parts of the network.

The Government told the Telegraph & Argus that it had previously told the Trust it would need to move to “alternative sources of funding” rather than rely on Government cash.

A spokesperson said £550m of funding has been awarded so far and it is "supporting the Trust with a further £590 million between now and 2037". 

The cuts come at a time when the costs of maintaining historic canals are increasing, due to the growing impact of climate change, with more periods of drought and extreme storm events taking their toll on the 250-year-old infrastructure.

Four of the six lock gates at the Grade 1-listed Bingley Five Rise Locks – the UK’s steepest lock flight – were replaced last year at a cost of £250,000.

Anna Dixon, Labour parliamentary candidate for Shipley constituency, recently met with staff and volunteers from Canal & River Trust at the Five Rise Locks.

She said: “If we want to be sure our 250-year-old canal network and iconic features such as Bingley Five Rise Locks remain in good working order for decades to come, the Government must fund their work.

“The cutbacks in Government funding will leave a gap in the charity’s finances which it will be challenging to fill from other sources.

"The canals are free to visit – unlike many heritage sites which charge people entry tickets – and are popular with visitors and locals alike.

"The cuts could result in delays to regular maintenance and repairs to the lock gates. It is vital the Government continue to provide essential funding to ensure our canals are here for generations to come.”

Anna Dixon (in red at front) with cllr Marcus Dearden (to her right) Sean McGinley of Canal River Trust (far right) and volunteers from the Canal and Rivers Trust (Image: Anna Dixon)

Councillor Marcus Dearden (Lab, Bingley), owner of the Five Rise Locks Café, added: “The Leeds & Liverpool Canal is used by so many people. As well as the boaters passing through, people come from all over to visit the locks. It brings a lot of tourism to the town. 

"It would be a huge loss to the area if our beautiful canals are not managed and maintained.”

Richard Parry, Canal & River Trust’s chief executive, whilst welcoming the Government’s commitment to providing long-term support to such a critical national network, warned that funding cuts will have a “potentially devastating impact” on the Trust’s ability to care for and protect the 2,000-mile-long waterways network and its heritage. 

He said: “We are tasked by Government to care for and manage safely this important and historic infrastructure. 

“By sharply reducing their investment in the critical work to care for and safely manage this vulnerable national canal infrastructure, the Government is failing to recognise the full cost of sustaining the vital benefits they provide.

"We have ambitious plans for continued growth in income from donations, investments and other funding streams and are also growing volunteer numbers to help with our work. 

"However, even taking these into account, the decision by Government leaves a substantial funding shortfall which puts decades of restoration and recovery of these much-loved historic waterways at risk.”

Canal & River Trust claims the Government cuts could lead to canal closures. 

A spokesperson for the Department of Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs said: “Since it was first created in 2012, we have been very clear that the Trust would have to increasingly move towards alternative sources of funding.

“To date we have awarded them £550 million funding and are supporting the Trust with a further £590 million between now and 2037.

“We have been discussing this with the charity for some time and have been offering support on how it can increase income from other sources, as per the original objective of the grant funding.”