Winter Canal Works

Works are underway this winter on a five month project by the Canal & River Trust to repair or replace 11 worn-out lock gates, missing brickwork, masonry, culverts, lock ladders and other vital tasks at various sections along the 66 mile canal through Cheshire and Shropshire.

Before each separate lock or section is drained, fish will be rescued and transported to another part of the canal which remains in water. All the new lock gates are hand-crafted in oak at our special workshop using traditional skills.

The old gates will generally be craned out and the new gates craned in as part of a spectacular lift movement.

A free open day at Northgate Locks in Chester in February will give people a chance to get up close to the repairs, enjoy a rare opportunity to walk through a drained lock chamber and talk to canal engineers.

Here in Audlem (although you won't be able to walk through a drained lock...) the works to be carried out include new gates and repairs at locks 8, 9, 10 and 15.

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