The rundown old gates are being replaced as part of our annual £43 million maintenance programme.
The new gates will be loaded on the Chesterfield Canal Trust's boat ‘Dawn Rose' and pulled by just two people along the one and a half kilometre stretch of historic canal from Shireoaks Marina. The two new gates, expertly crafted and made by hand at our workshop in Wakefield, will then be lifted into place in the lock by a crane.
Both of Lock 38's double bottom end gates, called mitre gates, are being replaced having been working hard for boaters for over 20 years. The top gates at Feeder Lock 38 and bottom gates at the next lock up, Lock 37, will be replanked to stop them leaking. The frame of the lock gates are fine, so by replanking them we can extend the life of the gates by at least five years. The works are running for three weeks from 27th February.
Essential maintenance
Lock 38 is one of 59 narrow locks on the 46-mile canal, which officially opened in 1777 and saw cargo such as coal, agricultural goods, iron, pottery and ale pass through its gates. The Chesterfield Canal Trust's 70ft boat ‘Dawn Rose' is the first new Cuckoo boat, a type of horse drawn cargo boat unique to the Chesterfield Canal, since the 1930s.
Julian Rasen, construction supervisor for the works, says: "Replacing and repairing the gates at these locks on the Chesterfield Canal is part of the essential maintenance needed to enable the local canal network to be used and enjoyed by thousands of boaters, cyclists, anglers and walkers every year. As the gates can't be delivered straight to the lock by road, we're delighted to be able to work with the Chesterfield Canal Trust in getting these hand crafted gates to the site by boat as they would have been in years past. It's certainly a way to mark the occasion and celebrate the 240-year-old canal.”
On Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th March between 10am and 4pm, people will have the rare opportunity to walk down into Lock 38 to see the canal from a very different angle during a free public open event. Visitors will be able to learn more about the history of the canal and see the new gates in place. Then for one night only, on Saturday 11th March between 6:30 and 9pm, the Turnerwood flight of locks will be transformed by hundreds of giant candles, ingenious engineered fiery sculptures, and come alive with music, dance and spoken word performances in a unique event to celebrate the Chesterfield Canal.
Remarkable network of historic waterways
Richard Parry, chief executive of the Canal & River Trust, says: "We care for a remarkable network of historic waterways which are still working just as they were designed to 200 years ago. Keeping them open and safe requires a huge amount of planning, investment and craftsmanship and involves a wide range of experts, from civil engineers and hydrologists to heritage experts and ecologists.
"By showcasing this work to the public, and giving them a different perspective at the evening showcase, we can give people a glimpse into the craftsmanship of the waterways' original 18th Century design but also show how the charity is giving them a new lease of life by using the space for arts and cultural events which bring communities together. We hope this will inspire more people to support us in unlocking the potential of every stretch of our canal and river."
