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Canal Open Days 2011/12
Canal Open Days 2011/12
Each year British Waterways carries out a winter maintenance programme on its historic network of canals and rivers. The programme, which has been in the planning stages since March, is vital to keep our 200-year old waterway network in working order.
Last year, for the first time, British Waterways held open days and invited the public along to take a closer look at selected stoppage works. We opened up our lock gate factories, took visitors to the bottom of drained locks and showed off our fish rescue skills.
Following the interest in last year’s open days we’ve decided to open up our planned works again. This winter we’re giving you the chance to see our skilled workers carry out the traditional crafts needed to maintain our waterway network.
Below we have listed the specific stoppage sites open to members of the public this year. There will be more to come, so keep checking back.
PLease note, Canal Open Days 2011/2012 have now finished
British Waterways’ Canal Open Days 2011/12 are sponsored by May Gurney. Find out more about the company by visiting www.maygurney.co.uk.
Last updated: 11/04/2012
In this section ...
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Diglis Locks, 16 October »Diglis Locks on the River Severn are being drained so engineers can carry out a detailed inspection of the locks, walls and paddle culverts. More »
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Lune Aqueduct, 25 November »British Waterways has been awarded funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore the magnificent Lune Aqueduct. More »
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Delph Nine Lock Flight, 30 November »This winter, British Waterways is inviting the public to see a lock gate replacement and find out more about the engineering works at Delph Lock 4 on the Dudley No 1 Canal. More »
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Keepers and Hunts Lock, 1 December »British Waterways will be carrying out essential repairs at Keepers Lock and Hunts Lock on the Trent & Mersey Canal, near Fradley. The works will take place from the 18 November - 16 December with an open day on Thursday 1st December 2011. More »
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Llangynidr Locks, 3 December »Llangynidr Locks are being drained so our team can carry out maintenance in the lock chamber. Come and join British Waterways on Saturday 3 December for a unique opportunity to descend to the bottom of the drained canal. More »
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Lock 60 at Crofton, 10 December »Come and meet the British Waterways team working on locks 55, 58, 59 and 60 on the Kennet & Avon Canal near Crofton and Wooten Rivers this winter works season. More »
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Hungerford Marsh Lock, 21 January »**SORRY, THIS OPEN DAY HAS BEEN POSTPONED. MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW.** Come and join British Waterways on Saturday 21st January to find out more about the work happening at Hungerford Marsh Lock on the Kennet & Avon Canal this winter. More »
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Huddersfield Narrow Canal, 24 January and 12 March »Two lock gate replacements on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal will be open for visitors to observe during this large maintenance project. In total, 15 stoppages are to be delivered over a 23 week period resulting in 45 gates being renewed or repaired – a major feat of winter maintenance by this team. More »
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Bingley Five Rise Locks, 28-29 January »Bingley Five Rise Locks are the only Grade I Listed lock on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. They will be open for visitors to observe during the replacement of four of its gates (the other gates were changed in 2000 and 2006). There will be the chance to take a tour deep inside into the locks as well as chat to British Waterways’ experts about how this skilled operation takes place. More »
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Hertford Union Bottom Lock, London, 4 February »
**Please note that the tour times below have changed (28/01/12)** Come and meet the British Waterways team working on the Bottom Lock on the Hertford Union Canal this winter. As part of our annual works programme we are replacing both the top and bottom sets of gates at this lock on the doorstep of the Olympic site. More »
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Stanley Ferry, 11 February »Visitors will be able to take a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the historic lock gate workshops on the Aire & Calder Navigation for the second time, following an extremely popular first year. So, if you missed out here’s your second chance to check out the impressive woodworking workshop where thousands of lock gates have been put together over the years. More »
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Bradley Workshop, 16 February »Visitors will be able to take a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the lock gate workshops on the Bradley Arm of the Birmingham Canal Old Main Line, for the second time, following a popular first year. So, if you missed out here’s your chance to check out the impressive woodworking workshop where thousands of lock gates have been put together over the years. More »
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Iron Trunk Aqueduct, 26 February »Come along the open day at the Iron Trunk Aqueduct to find out what works British Waterways will be doing to help restore this waterway wonder. More »
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National Waterways Museum, 4 March »The bottom lock at The National Waterways Museum is being drained so our team can carry out lock gate replacement. More »
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Lock 47, Rochdale Canal »
The lock underneath the A58 Halifax Road is being drained so our team can carry out lock gate replacement. More »
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South Stratford Canal split bridges »The Stratford Canal is home to a unique set of structures called split bridges. They were built so horses could pull boats along the canal without the need to remove their tow ropes each time they came to a bridge. By building into the design a method to keep the horses attached to their ropes and the boat, time would be saved, making the process more efficient. More »
