By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
Two giant canal lock gates made by specialist carpenters have been lifted into place as part of £250,000 in improvements at Nottingham water landmark Meadow Lane Lock.
Workers from charity the Canal & River Trust lifted the gates into position on the Nottingham & Beeston Canal on Monday (November 27).
Lock gates are typically changed every 25 to 30 years – but the Meadow Lane gates are being changed after 15 years due to their deterioration.
Meadow Lane Lock is at the junction of the Nottingham & Beeston Canal and River Trent. The canal was built as a waterway bypass, enabling boats to avoid an unnavigable section of the river.
Besides replacing the worn-out lock gates, the trust is also repairing historic brickwork and carrying out other conservation works, as part of a major programme of winter repairs.
Specialist carpenters handcrafted the new lock gates, which cost around £35,000 each.
Stephen Hardy is communications manager for the Canal and River Trust, which looks after the waterways.
He said: “These works are so important because our canals are almost 250 years old.
“The canals are vulnerable and we saw recently the damage caused by Storm Babet.
“It’s important we carry out these works so the canals are safe, accessible and protected for future generations.
“We had money from the Government and we raise a lot of money through the property portfolio we have and fundraising, and working with Nottingham City Council.”
The charity is also hosting an open day, when members of the public can see behind the scenes of the works as well as have a go at canoeing and angling.
The event will be held on Sunday, December 3 from 11am to 3pm.
Mr Hardy added: “What’s really exciting about these works is we are opening them up to the public and inviting people to come along on Sunday.
“The open day is a rare opportunity to look into the drained lock chamber.
“It’s not very often you can see down into the bottom of the lock as it was built 250 years ago.
“The canal is a working waterway, it is not a museum piece and it is still used as it was at the height of the industrial revolution.
“These works will make sure it continues to work as it should.”
Geff Hey, site supervisor for the Meadow Lane lock, added: “The gates have deteriorated at the bottom end and they need restoration.
“It’s crucial that they’re kept in good maintenance.
“It is a well-used area of the canal, especially because it goes onto the River Trent and into Leicester.
“This will make it a lot easier for canal boat users to use, and from an aesthetic point of view it will look a lot better.”
