The work at Marsworth includes the removal of one of the walls in the lock chamber due to its urgent need for repair, then rebuilding the entire wall using reclaimed and new bricks. Lock 43 will also receive new lock gates, the current gates have been in situ since 1987.
The hidden history is being opened to the public this winter as part of our £50m spend on conservation and maintenance works across 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales, working on around 100 locks across the country, replacing 174 lock gates.
Essential maintenance
Jeff Whyatt, waterway manager for the South East, said: “The repair works at Marsworth are part of the essential maintenance works needed to enable the local canal network to be used by boaters, cyclists, anglers and walkers.
“We are opening up lock 43 to the public on Sunday 13 January. Come down any time between 10am and 4pm, where you will not only be able to go inside the drained lock, but also go on tours around nearby Tringford Pumping Station and see local blacksmith Paul Elliott from ‘Hammer & Tongs' at work in his studio. You will even have the opportunity to have a go at blacksmithing."
