Friday 21 November 2008

Lost Locks.

11 Locks, 3 Miles. Now moored at Red Bull Yard, Kidsgrove.

It was a beautiful start to the day but it didn't last long. There were no surprises waiting for us today but we were amazed at the amount of locks that had been filled in or are in a dilapidated condition. All the locks along this stretch of the Trent and Mersey Canal were twinned or duplicated to speed up the movement of boats. Over the years many have fallen into disrepair due to subsidence through the salt mining in the area. Locks 47 and 48 were 2 such locks which are closed but have a public notice attached stating that they are grade 2 listed buildings and subject to restoration. So it seems that it is not only the canals that are under going restoration to re-open but existing canals like the Trent & Mersey that have some serious maintenance problems to remain open.

1546 locks, 3232 miles, 51 Tunnels, 42 swing bridges and 39 lift bridges since Nov 2006

1 comment:

Paul (from Waterway Routes) said...

They are getting rather run down - but reluctantly, as long as one is working I would rather BW spent their limited money on canals where none are working properly.

I don't think the two Pierpoint Locks (55 & 56) with the shortest pound between them were ever duplicated.