Crane now on site at Southcote Lock

Published: Saturday, 07 August 2021

A CRANE is now on site at Southcote Lock on the Kennet & Avon Canal.

It was on Monday that a boat took a gate off its foundation leaving it at an angle closing the navigation, Keith Gudgin reports.

SouthgateLCraneBarge crane

Owing to the weight of the gate, a barge crane had to be brought in, but at the time there was none available locally with one brought in by road, but its large size meant it had to have permission from the authorities to transport it, but it is now on site.

The photograph by Canal & River Trust shows the position of the lock gate and the crane.

The gate has been lifted with stop planks being installed so the lock can be drained and the gate fixed back in position and the lock re-watered.

There is no intimation however when this will be completed, but the trust state it is working quickly to resolve the situation.