Lock 36 - Gees Lock - Near Whetstone

Works at Gees Lock 36 are running behind schedule due to operational challenges, including low water levels affecting access to the site.   Progress has also been slowed by limited lifting capacity, as only one crane boat is currently available. Flooding elsewhere on the network has prevented the Trust's second crane boat from reaching the lock.   We have cills to complete and cure, balance beams to fit, back planking to install and brickwork to complete. We have brought in additional brickwork resources to win back some time and will bring in additional resources to speed up the activity at the end of the job to remove all the equipment and rewater the canal. Despite these measures, Gees Lock 36 will not reopen on 27 March as originally planned. It is now expected to reopen at 4pm on Thursday 2 April. If we can win any further time back we will – and now have a high degree of confidence of the works being complete by this revised date – as we are very conscious of wanting to avoid these works running any closer to Easter.   We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience.

Work at Gees Lock has been delayed by severe weather and flooding in early January, which held up the start of the planned stoppage by two weeks. The project includes full replacement of both lock gates, repairs, and lock ladder renewal. Because the original programme required the full post‑Christmas stoppage period (to 13 March), this lost time means there is now a risk that we will not complete all the work until 27 March. Our teams are working to reduce any over-run if we can and we will provide updates accordingly. We appreciate your patience and understanding while we complete these essential works. 

Due to ongoing flooding at the Kegworth Lock 46 stoppage, we are currently unable to remove plant and equipment from the site by workboat. This will also delay the transport of equipment and materials to Gees Lock, which has no road access and can only be reached by workboat. As a result, the Gees Lock stoppage will now run from 19 January to 13 March. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding while we work to safely manage the impacts of the flooding.

A navigation and towpath closure are required for top and bottom gate replacement and general lock repairs.