Buckland Lock reopens

BUCKLAND Lock 12 on the Aylesbury Arm, being known as the 'banana' lock due to its shape when it collapsed during April of this year was reopened today, Saturday.

There is still no official cause being given for the failure of the lock wall though many reasons have been mooted, but it was a big job, with the opening delayed time and time again, Keith Gudgin reveals.

Problems of access

Not only was the opening delayed but it was learned that the repair was a colossal £500,000 over budget, (Aylesbury Lock overdue and over budget) due partly to the problem of access to the site.

It was originally told that the repairs would be completed in August, in order to allow the boats that had been craned-out to leave their moorings, to be able to get back by the end of the season, but it is three months behind schedule when eventually reopened this morning at 10am, though there is still a little lock side and towpath work to be completed.