We were due to replace the aged lock gates at Ratcliffe Lock last winter after boaters reported difficulties operating the lock. The very wet weather meant that the River Soar was in flood for most of the winter and the works had to be postponed. To avoid closing the navigation for several weeks over the busy summer period, the full-scale lock refurbishment is now taking place in the autumn and a temporary repair has been carried out in the interim.
Temporary repairs
We've been carrying out regular inspections and listening and responding to reports from boaters. We recently discovered that the heel post, which enables the lock’s oak lock gate to pivot open and close smoothly, had split. This weakened the gate and made it hard for boaters to use. As a temporary repair, our charity has put in a ‘false heel’, which has enabled the lock to reopen for boats in time for the summer holidays, and ahead of the popular Shardlow Inland Port Festival.
Accessing the site is tricky, so our team brought in a crane boat to lift the balance beam – the heavy beam that forms the top of the lock gate – so they could carry out the repair, saving the need for draining the canal. The lock reopened on Thursday 25 July.
Recognising the struggle
Andrew Morris, our regional construction manager, said: “We recognise that boaters have been struggling with Ratcliffe Lock for some time, and we were disappointed that the flooded river meant that we couldn’t go in and replace the gates as planned last winter. I am sorry that boaters have faced difficultly navigating through the lock but am pleased that this temporary repair will allow use throughout the summer and ahead of the Shardlow Festival in September.
“We always aim to minimise disruption for boaters so, instead of carrying out a long stoppage in the summer, which would have meant navigation would be restricted for several weeks during the busiest time of year, we have planned the full lock gate replacement at Ratcliffe Lock for the autumn, once the river is quieter. The lock gates have already been built in our specialist workshop and are ready to be installed.”
