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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.

The open day offers the public a rare opportunity to take a guided tour of the locks. Visitors will find out fascinating facts about the Trent & Mersey Canal and see how the work is carried out by British Waterways’ team to maintain the lock.

Pat Barton from the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) Lichfield branch will join British Waterways’ engineers to give the guided tour.

The locks will be drained before work can commence, helping to show members of the public who attend the open day a side of the waterway that is rarely seen.

Will Burnish, British Waterways’ maintenance manager says: “These locks are more than just features of a waterway, they are history in action and a time portal that give people an insight as to how the canals were operated more than a century ago.”

Specialist heritage skills

The lock gates are not being fully replaced this year, instead they will be repaired. The team will replace the special oak liners which are used to prevent water leaking through the lock gates. In general this work is undertaken every five years.

Work will be carried out to refurbish all of the paddle gearing and to repair the cill, which forms the water tight seal between the gate and the bottom of the lock chamber. Repairs to the brickwork of the lock walls will also be carried out. The team will be using specialist heritage skills such as the use of hand tools and lime mortar because of its durable and permeable properties. These skills have barely changed since the 18th century and using these techniques helps maintain the historical integrity of the canal scene.

Time:

  • 1st tour 10.30am. Pat Barton will be giving an extended tour of the locks and also Fradley Pool Nature Reserve talking about the history and heritage.
  • 2nd tour 11.30pm & 2.30pm. Will Burnish will be giving a shorter tour talking about the engineering works.

Location: Trent & Mersey Canal, near Fradley Junction, nearest post code is DE13 7DP. Parking, toilets and refreshments are available at Fradley Junction a short level walk from the locks.

Booking: Spaces for the tours are limited, so pre booking is strongly advised to guarantee a space on the tour. To book call 01827 252059


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: 17/11/2011

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