Divers have been undertaking repair work at Weston Lock on the River Avon, along with inspections to help inform future maintenance at the site.
The lock at Weston Lock on the River Avon | Photo © Canal & River Trust
The Grade II listed lock, which is maintained by the Canal & River Trust, is one of 104 locks between Bristol and the River Thames at Reading which make up the Kennet & Avon Canal.
Dating back nearly 300 years, the lock required repairs to one of the ‘paddles’ – the trap door which boaters navigating the waterway operate to empty the lock of water.
A specialist dive team went below the surface of the canal to temporarily remove the paddle from the lock gate.
This allowed the charity’s bank-side maintenance team to make the repairs before the divers once again fixed the paddle back in its place below the waterline.
A diver taking part in the repair works | Photo © Canal & River Trust
The diving team were also able to conduct an inspection ahead of future maintenance at the lock, while also removing weeds, timber and other impediments around the lock gates which was impacting the filling time of the lock.
The use of divers, rather than having to install temporary dams and drain the canal completely, minimised disruption for boaters as the lock was fixed and back open after only a brief closure.
The repairs to the paddle on the lock gate will improve boaters’ experience of using the lock, which is one of the deepest on the navigation, lowering or raising boats over nine feet.
Rob Labus, contract manager south at Canal & River Trust, said: “Weston Lock is nearly three centuries old and is still in daily use by boaters on the waterway.
“It is vital we carry out repairs and complete inspection work like this so that the navigation continues to be available for boaters and for the benefit of the local community.
“Using divers in this way is cost-effective and saves on the time needed for the navigation to be stopped.
“The lock is a remarkable piece of engineering, and we hope the repairs undertaken will make the lock easier to use.
“The challenge of keeping the amazing piece of heritage open and available is a never ending challenge and we are calling on people to support Canal & River Trust and help keep canals alive for today’s boaters, the local communities they run through, and for future generations.”
