This will see brand new, bespoke lock gates manufactured and installed across the canal network this winter, helping ensure the historic canal network remains navigable and available for local communities.
A fundamental part of the network
Lock gates are fundamental to the operation of canals. Constantly exposed to the elements and in daily use by boaters, they typically last around 25 years before requiring replacement, highlighting the importance of ongoing investment in this nationally significant infrastructure.
The new gates funded with support of Postcode Lottery players are being expertly crafted at our specialist workshops – some of more than 100 gates that are set to be replaced by us this winter. Skilled teams are combining traditional techniques with modern engineering to create durable lock gates tailored to each individual lock chamber.
The allocation of funding to these lock gate replacements illustrates the transformative impact of Postcode Lottery players support over the past 15 years, helping us to care for more than 2,000 miles of waterways across the country.
Canals today are far more than historic transport routes. They are vital community spaces used daily by millions of people for walking, cycling, boating and connecting with nature. At the same time, they provide a haven for wildlife, with biodiversity flourishing along their corridors thanks to careful stewardship and long-term conservation work. The replacement of these lock gates will not only support navigation for boaters but also help sustain the many environmental and social benefits that canals provide.
Helping us care for our canals
Campbell Robb, our chief executive, said: “Support from Postcode Lottery players over the past 15 years has been instrumental in helping us care for our canals. This programme of lock gate replacements is a fitting way to mark that support, ensuring everyone who loves the waterways can continue to enjoy and get the health and wellbeing benefits of time spent on or by them.
“Lock gates are at the very heart of canal operations and replacing them is essential to maintaining the resilience of the network. Thanks to Postcode Lottery players support, we can continue to help safeguard these special places for boaters, local communities and the wildlife that call our canals home.”
Laura Chow, head of charities from Postcode Lottery, said: "What better way to celebrate fifteen years of player support for the Canal & River Trust than by funding fifteen new lock gates across the country? These vital structures keep our waterways flowing and connected. Thanks to player funding, alongside the Trust's ongoing conservation and maintenance work, these historic waterways can continue to be enjoyed and valued by communities, boaters and visitors for generations to come."
Work to install the new lock gates will take place over the coming winter, carefully planned to minimise disruption while ensuring the long-term future of the canal network.
As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we continue to highlight the importance of ongoing care and investment in our canals to keep them alive, navigable and thriving for generations to come.
