Red Wheel for Bingley Five Rise

IF YOU are wondering why the Five Rise Locks on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal should be getting a red wheel—it's an award from the Transport Trust.

The Trust has chosen the locks as one of its most significant sites of transport heritage to be awarded a Red Wheel plaque—the first of its kind in Yorkshire, which will be erected tomorrow, Thursday 16th on the old lock keepers hut by the side of the locks in recognition of it being the ‘steepest lock staircase in Britain'. The somewhat different picture from normal shows the steepness of the locks, with the one below clearly illustrating the depth of the lock chambers.

The Red Wheel programme commemorates Britain's rich legacy in the development of transport and supplies explanatory markers for sites of significance at locations ranging from Roman roads and early tramways to seaplane and hovercraft bases.

Bingley's 18th century engineering masterpiece is unique in being the only Grade I Listed structure on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, designed by John Longbotham of Halifax, its first engineer.

Judy Jones, Heritage Advisor for British Waterways, North explained:

"Bingley Five Rise Locks are a major achievement of civil engineering and an iconic site even after all these years, so we're really pleased that it's being recognised by the Transport Trust. We've worked closely with the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society so special thanks goes to them also. The first boats went through the locks during the opening ceremony in 1774 when thousands gathered to watch the first boats make the 60 foot descent and it's great that so many people still use these locks each year."