Newbury lock gates on Kennet & Avon canal craned away for winter repairs

Over the next five months, the Canal & River Trust is spending a total of £355,000 on improvements along the canal, including work on a seven-week £120,000 project to repair Bulls Lock, Newbury.
A team of five will replace both the top and bottom lock gates and make repairs to the ground paddles, which release water into the lock.
The stone walls will also be repaired, owing to damage caused by passing boats bumping into them over the years.
Brickwork in the lock chamber will also be repointed. Simon Kirby, the canal’s construction supervisor, said keeping the locks open required a huge amount of planning, investment and craftsmanship.
“Building work for Bulls Lock started in 1718, so it’s important we care for a structure that is coming up to its 300th birthday.”
Bulls Lock will be closed until Friday, December 19 during the work and will reopen the day after for lock gate replacements.
Further along the canal, Aldermaston Lock will be drained in January for a gate replacement.
Visitors to an open day in Aldermaston on Saturday, January 31, can walk down into the drained lock, meet the construction team and find out about the history of the lock from canal experts.
Canal waterway manager, Nick Worthington, said that showcasing the work to the public provided a glimpse of the craftsmanship of the waterways’ 18th-century design and the scale of the work required to care for it.
“We hope this will inspire more people to get involved to enjoy, and help support their local canal or river navigation.”