Dowley Gap attraction

THE impressive Dowley Gap Aqueduct and neighbouring two rise locks that were drained proved immensely popular  as they were open to the public over the week-end.

During the event yesterday (Sunday 17th) we are told that more than 2,000 visitors of all ages took the opportunity to walk along a drained 50 metre section of the 240 year old aqueduct and ventured 20ft into the bottom of the locks as part of the Canal & River Trust's annual waterway maintenance programme.

Iain Weston, Waterway Manager for the Canal & River Trust explained:

"Thousands of visitors pass these structures each year but many might not realise what it takes to keep them in top working order. As a new charity it's important to get support from local communities in order to help us continue to protect what the great industrial pioneers of the 18th century left as their legacy.

"People commented that they've passed the locks and aqueduct so many times before but what was really impressive was to walk down inside them, get a close up look at the construction and learn interesting facts about how my teams carry out this work. Our aims during these open days have been to showcase these incredible heritage structures and to give local communities the chance to experience what they wouldn't get a chance to see otherwise."

The aqueduct, which spans the Aire, is undergoing refurbishment works to a section of the embankment to reduce leakage whilst two sets of lock gates are being replaced on the neighbouring locks having been in operation for more than 25 years. New 3.5 tonne lock gates will be hoisted in over the next couple of weeks.  The picture is of one of the lock chambers.

People wanting to know more about how lock gates are made to fit each individual lock can find out at a special Open Day at Stanley Ferry Workshop in Wakefield on Sunday 14th April—one of only two remaining workshops in the country.  Photographs kindly supplied by Peter Lloyd.