Lock 2, Stanthorne Lock, Middlewich Branch, Shropshire Union Canal

Updates

29/04/2021 16:07

Our teams have been working hard to repair the lock gate at Lock 2, Stanthorne Lock on the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal in time for the Bank Holiday Weekend and works onsite are progressing well.

We are pleased to advise navigation will resume at 12.30pm tomorrow, Friday 30 April.

27/04/2021 09:32

We have successfully removed the lock gate at Lock 2, Stanthorne Lock on the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal and our contractors have measured and manufactured the steel work required to make the repair and are back onsite today to install the framework.

On removing the lock gate, our teams found further damage and are now working hard on its repair. We are aiming to reinstall the lock gate by Wednesday 28 April. Following its installation, our team will then reinstall the balance beam and carry out essential repairs to the lock, including the lock ladder.

We are working with our contractors to be ready to remove the scaffolding and fabric dams as soon as it is safe to do so, subject to this, we anticipate navigation will re-open by 5pm, Friday 30 April.

A further update will be provided by Thursday 29 April.

23/04/2021 15:44

Our team have made progress onsite, setting up the site compound, installing the crane pad and over pumping system at Lock 2, Stanthorne Lock on the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal. There has been a slight delay installing the bottom dam as we had to move the location and install additional pumping equipment to dewater the site.

Scaffolding installation to allow safe access to the chamber will be complete today and our team and contractors will be onsite tomorrow to remove the gate. Upon removing the gate, our team will be able to assess the damage and develop the repair solution. Site activity may look quiet on Sunday as our contractors will be working on offsite fabrication of the steel work required to repair the gate.

A further update will be provided Monday 26 April when we will be able to provide a more accurate timescale of the completion of the works.

Description

Unfortunately, we need to close the navigation at Lock 2, Stanthorne Lock on the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal to carry out a repair to the offside tail gate. We have seen further deterioration of the damaged gate and the feedback from customers is that the lock is proving extremely difficult to operate. Our engineers and operations team have been to site to reassess the lock and have deemed it crucial for the repair works to take place as soon as possible.

To allow some movement of boats we will be starting preparation work on site tomorrow to allow the repair works to commence on Monday 19 April and anticipate these works will take 7 to 10 days to complete.

Navigation will remain open until Monday 19 April and will be closed from 08:00.

We understand how frustrating and disruptive this is for our customers so soon after restrictions on navigation have been lifted and with the number of other stoppages in the region. Our teams will be working 7 days a week to get this fixed and back open and we will endeavour to improve on this timescale.

A further update will be provided by Friday 23 April.