Locally-built lock gates ready to withstand canal pressures

The old lock gates at Broad Cut Low Lock on the Calder and Hebble Navigation, Wakefield, which are more than 25 years old, are being lifted by a crane in a £120,000 British Waterways project.

The new gates were made down the road at British Waterways’ Stanley Ferry workshop. Lock gate making and fitting is a skilled trade that requires a perfect fit to hold back huge water pressures.

Jon Horsfall, of British Waterways, said about £4m was spent during winter maintenance in the region.

“Caring for this 250-year-old working heritage requires significant funding,” he added.

“We’re positive about the future as we work towards becoming a charity or ‘national trust’ for the waterways which we hope will encourage greater public engagement, creating new funding opportunities and increasing volunteer participation.

“The waterways have experienced an amazing renaissance in recent years and over half the population now live within five miles of a BW waterway.

“As a result, our waterways are now used by more people than ever so it’s vitally important that we continue to protect them for future generations.”