A team of divers has made repairs to a leaking lock along the Kennet & Avon Canal.
Divers from the Canal & River Trust repaired damage caused by general wear and tear at Colthrop Lock on Friday (June 7) — one of the busiest on the river section of the canal.
The repairs follow recent dredging and significant bank repairs and will ensure the lock remains safe and available to boaters after the flooding endured over the winter period.
Speaking at the lock on Friday, contract manager at the Canal & River Trust, Rob Labus, said: “We’re currently making temporary repairs to the gates.
“We’ve got really bad leakage through these gates; new gates are being made at our workshop now.
“The reason we’re using divers is because they can come in quickly and that we don’t have to de-water the lock.
“We’ve got a four-hour restriction, however, when we get a pause in the work, we are letting boaters through so there’s no more delays.”
Area operations manager at the Canal & River Trust, Rob Coles, added: “Colthrop Lock is in daily use by boaters and, when we discovered the damage, we knew we had to get it fixed quickly.
“Instead of draining the canal, we’re sending in divers who will assess and repair the problems below the surface and give the lock gates a new lease of life, until the replacement of the gates later this year.”
He continued: “The Kennet & Avon Canal is over 200 years old and this section, the River Kennet, was made navigable 300 years ago.
“It is still used by boats as it was when it was first built.
“It’s a remarkable piece of engineering, but time is taking its toll, compounded by the increase in extreme weather caused by climate change.
“We are doing all we can to meet this challenge, but we need help.
“We are calling on people to support the Canal & River Trust and help keep canals alive for today’s boaters, the local communities they run through, and for future generations.
“Instead of draining the canal, a specialist team dived into the lock to carry out underwater repair work.
“This will save the charity money and minimise disruption for boaters, as the navigation will remain open, with possible delays of up to four hours.
“The repairs will cost around £5,000 and involve divers and local colleagues from the Canal & River Trust who will provide repair materials, support and welfare.”
