We are giving you the unique opportunity to go behind the scenes into the temporarily drained Lock 7 on the Old Main Line Canal in Wolverhampton at the end of February to see close up the refurbishment of the 250-year-old canal lock, which includes the replacement of the 1.7 tonne hand-crafted oak lock gates.
Winter works
We're replacing the worn-out lock gates, repairing historic brickwork as well as carrying out other conservation works, as part of a major programme of winter repairs along our 2,000 miles of historic canals across England and Wales.
We've had to raise more than £250,000 to carry out the works at Grade II-Listed Lock 7 and several other locks along the Old Main Line Canal in Wolverhampton. The repairs, which require the water to be temporarily drained, are taking place over the winter months when fewer boats are using the canal network.
Our specialist carpenters at Bradley in the West Midlands have handcrafted the lock gates, part of our work to protect the historic lock and help ensure that the Old Main Line Canal is kept open and safe for boats and people on the towpath to enjoy.
Lock gates are typically changed every 25 years and so, on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 February, we are offering the public the rare opportunity to walk the drained lock chamber. Visitors to the free event, which has been kindly supported by local company Thomas Dudley Ltd with a £5,000 donation, will get the chance to chat with the skilled team carrying out the works and find out what goes in to protecting the historic canal network. There will also be the opportunity to take part in a range of canal-themed family-friendly activities.
The repairs to the locks in Wolverhampton are part of 138 large-scale projects being carried out across the country by us this winter to replace worn-out lock gates, inspect tunnels and aqueducts, repair centuries-old masonry and brickwork, together with a host of other important heritage and conservation tasks. It’s a massive task to keep canals in working order for boats, for local communities, and for the benefit of wildlife, involving our passionate team of specialists and thousands of dedicated volunteers, donors and partners.
