BW to spend £750,000 on lock gates on K&A Canal next winter

One of Wootton Rivers Bottom Lock gates 

being removed last winter.  

Picture by Bob Naylor

More sets of lock gates were replaced on the Kennet & Avon Canal last winter than on any other BW waterway and the plan is to do the same next winter because, says Waterway Manager, Mark Stephens, "Many of the lock gates are not up to scratch at the moment . . . far from it — but I have said that if we are given the gates we will put them on — and we are being taken seriously.

"British Waterways Central like waterways that achieve what they've been given the resources to do. That's what we do on this waterway. We get the gates and we do the job and as a consequence we get extra ones."

The lock gates Mark and his team plan to replace next winter include Hanham Lock (1)

where the K&A navigation meets the tidal River Avon. Because of tidal variation they need to take heed of the tides  — and they can't leave it too late because of the risk of flood water later in the winter so they are planning to start that four week project in September.

Crofton Locks: 55, 58, 59 and 60

These gates leak badly — and some are on the verge of collapse. Very good reasons, says Mark, to replace them because the amount of money it costs to keep putting water back on the summit which then just comes back down through the flight is a major concern.  

And also because they are quite close together it is very economical to do them in a group. Mark said, "Arguably there are other locks elsewhere that are in worse condition but I can get more done for less money if I choose to do those four. They are all justifiable replacements and they are going to save me pumping costs as well."  

Those lock gate replacements are planned to be completed before Christmas — starting in late October.

In the new year, Hungerford Marsh (73) and Monkey Marsh (90) are planned for January.  Monkey Marsh was on the schedule for last winter but was carried-over because of other more pressing works. Wire Lock (76) is planned for February.

In all they plan to replace 12 sets of gates at a cost of £750,000.  

British Waterways will publish the winter stoppage programme for 2011/20012 on 9th May and comments will be welcomed until 3rd June.

Come and work for no pay on the K&A

British Waterways is recruiting a team of local people to be volunteer lock keepers on the Kennet & Avon Canal to work at Caen Hill, the Bath Flight, Bradford on Avon, Crofton, Seend and Kintbury. 

K & A Canal Waterway Manager,  Mark Stephens, said: “This is an exciting opportunity and we are expecting there to be a lot of interest. The role of a lock keeper is arguably the most iconic and colourful role on the waterway and by opening it out to volunteers we’re hoping to tap into the great wealth of knowledge and passion that we know local people have for their canal.”

For potential volunteers to find out what is involved there are guided walks on:

Friday 4^th March 10am at Bradford and 2pm at Bath

Friday 11^th March 10am at Crofton and 2pm at Kintbury

Friday 18^th March 10am at Devizes and 2pm at Seend

Volunteers will be required to work from March until October and able to offer at least one day a week, although this is flexible.  

BW say that the ideal volunteer lock keeper will have an interest in the waterways, enjoy meeting people and like the sound of spending time outdoors in beautiful surroundings.  

No prior experience is necessary and successful applicants will receive full induction, training and a uniform to equip them for their role as ‘the face of the waterway’. 

For more information contact Sarah French on: 01827 252097 or email:  volunteer@britishwaterways.co.uk  

Man's body pulled from the K&A Canal in Devizes

Early this afternoon emergency services were called to the pound below Prison Bridge in the Devizes Flight and a man's body was recovered from the water by a Wiltshire Fire Brigade water rescue team from Chippenham.

The man in his 50s is believed to have been living on a boat in the area.  His name will be released once his next of kin have been informed.

The man had been in the water for some time and was pronounced dead at the scene.  Police say that there are no suspicious circumstances