A dispute has arisen between canal boaters and local homeowners over water levels at a lock in Huddersfield. Homeowners say full locks cause sewage to flood their homes, while boaters face low water and grounded vessels.
A disagreement has started between people living near the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and those who travel on its boats. The issue is about the water levels at Lock 20W, near Greenfield village.
Local homeowners say that if the lock is kept full, sewage from a nearby pump house overflows into their properties. One resident, Ken, an 80-year-old gardener, explained that his bath often fills with sewage.
On the other hand, canal boaters report that low water levels cause their boats to get stuck. They believe residents are draining the lock, which damages their vessels and makes travel difficult.
The Canal & River Trust, which manages the waterways, is aware of the ongoing problem. They have tried to fix leaks and installed pumps to help residents.
The Trust confirmed there is an existing sign asking boaters to leave the lock empty. They are ordering more signs to make this clearer. They also noted that more boats using the canal recently have contributed to lower water levels.
