The works, to ensure London's canals are kept flowing, will cost around £120,000, and includes repairs to a number of solid oak lock gates and listed waterway structures. We started the repairs this month with the maintenance programme continuing until next March.
Vital repairs will take place at Old Ford Lock and Actons Lock on the Regent's Canal in Hackney and at Osterley Lock and Cowley Lock which are both on the Grand Union Canal. A new foot bridge is also being installed along the Grand Union Canal's Slough Arm.
Charlotte Wood, from the Trust, said: "The projects we're carrying out over the next five months are really important. We'll be emptying millions of litres of water from the canal and repairing multi-tonne lock gates to ensure they are watertight when closed. It is a great example of the type of work we do to improve the canal so everyone who lives on, works on or visits the waterways can enjoy them.
"The canals are 200-years old but arguably as relevant as ever for today's society. They offer an amazing, tranquil space, where everything slows down. They are a great place to escape the pressures of modern life. We know from research that people are happier and more relaxed when they are by water, and the activities the canals support means they can help contribute to improving people's mental and physical well-being."
