Fish out of water for canal lock repairs

Essential repairs are being carried out to a Yorkshire canal lock that has stood for more than two centuries.
James Kirk, from MEM Fisheries Ltd, holding a large Pike, with his brother JoshuaJames Kirk, from MEM Fisheries Ltd, holding a large Pike, with his brother Joshua
James Kirk, from MEM Fisheries Ltd, holding a large Pike, with his brother Joshua

As part of an annual programme of restoration, the Canal and River Trust is carrying out essential maintenance work on Spring Garden Lock, on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Leeds.

Around £100,000 is being invested on replacing a set of 25-year-old, 3.5-tonne lock gates, grouting the lock chamber walls to prevent leakage and patching up other masonry.

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The lock will be drained to allow the maintenance team access for the month-long project. Hundreds of fish are being rehomed as the bottom ‘pound’ – the length of canal between two locks – is also drained.

James Kirk, from MEM Fisheries Ltd, holding a large Pike, with his brother JoshuaJames Kirk, from MEM Fisheries Ltd, holding a large Pike, with his brother Joshua
James Kirk, from MEM Fisheries Ltd, holding a large Pike, with his brother Joshua

Trust waterway manager Chantelle Seaborn said: “Every day lots of people might walk or cycle alongside these locks enjoying what the waterways offer without ever really knowing about all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to keep these iconic structures alive.

“Our locks, aqueducts and bridges date back to the days of the Industrial Revolution so need some careful care and restoration.”

Measuring more than 20 metres in length and 3.5 metres deep, Spring Garden Lock, in Armley, was built nearly 240 years ago by renowned engineer John Longbotham.

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The maintenance is part of a £45m programme of work to canals and rivers.

Across the Yorkshire region alone around £1m will be spent on improvements to be carried out before next March.

Ms Seaborn added: “All the work we do is to make sure that the canals and rivers can be used by boaters, canoeists, cyclists, anglers and walkers and are protected for years to come.”

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