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The charity making life better by water

£100,000 of repairs to be revealed at free open day

We're inviting members of the public to come visit us at City Road Lock in London for a free behind-the-scenes tour.

On Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December visitors will have the rare opportunity to venture to the bottom of the lock and walk along the original Victorian, 200-year-old brickwork. Come and visit us for a unique view of one of the finest examples of working heritage in the world.

The work here will cost £100,000 in total and involves highly skilled craftsmanship. The lock's top gates have been removed and brand new ones will be fitted, weighing approximately five tonnes each. They have been made out of British Oak at our workshop in west Yorkshire.

Additionally, the bottom gates will receive new timber inserts to reduce water leakage. The work, which started mid-November, is expected to take six weeks and the lock will be operational again by Christmas.

Unique opportunity

Graham Smith, construction supervisor for London, says: “This is one of the busiest stretches of towpath in the country. Replacing the lock gates is part of the essential maintenance needed to enable the local canal network to be used and enjoyed by boaters, cyclists, anglers and walkers.

“We are opening up the site to visitors on the 13 and 14 December, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to come and walk along the bottom of the drained lock chamber and learn about the works we are doing here from the Trust's experts.”

The open day event is being held at City Road Lock on the Regent's Canal, Islington, London, N1 8LE. There is no parking available on site, the nearest tube station is Angel.

Last Edited: 04 December 2014

photo of a location on the canals
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