Urgent lock repair added to winter works

URGENT repairs are needed to the bottom gates of a Stone lock that has been added to the winter works.

An inspection of Newcastle Road Lock (29) on the Trent & Mersey Canal revealed that its bottom gates are liable to fail before next winter when repairs were planned.

Lock closed

The lock is now closed to navigation with work brought forward to Monday 8th January.

As the winter work to Lock 38 on the navigation was cancelled, the time saved by this means the work can be undertaken on Lock 29 instead.

The work will include refitting, relining, bracing both bottom gates and bracing the towpath side balance beam with a steel brace.

Should give more years

A new paddle and frame will also be installed in the towpath side bottom gate. These works, the trust relates, should give this busy lock several more years of operation ahead of planned gate replacement.