Description
Please be advised that the recent diving and investigation work at Bevere Lock has unfortunately confirmed the generally poor condition of the gates.
They have dropped on their mountings and there is evidence that some joints are failing too, which explains why the gates have been seizing.
The cills are also damaged and leaking and the risk of further failure and unplanned closure of the navigation is high unless we intervene.
Whilst we accept that a closure at this time is disappointing for customers, we cannot conduct this work in the winter due to the high risk of the site flooding so have elected to mobilise an urgent dry stoppage.
We plan to lift the gates out, plate the joints, repair the mountings and replace the cills whilst also taking the opportunity to technically examine the integrity of the timber itself.
Everything we learn will be used to build our strategy for future maintenance of the gates on the Severn, some of which are more than 70 years old.
Mobilisation at the site will commence during week commencing 12th September with navigation closure and dewatering expected to take place from 06:00 on 26th September. Our target for completion is 1st November at 08:00.
Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause, we will endeavour to keep any disruption to a minimum.
You are welcome to contact us at enquiries.walessouthwest@canalrivertrust.org.uk if you would like to discuss this information with a member of our Customer Service Team.
