BAGNALL Lock at Alrewas on the Trent & Mersey Canal was re-opened yesterday, Tuesday, at 1pm, with the queue of boats allowed through.

The closure was due to a broken balance beam, that was held together with metal strips so that Canal & River Trust staff could operate the lock for boaters for three hours a day.

Bagnall LockInitial problem still exists

Though it was generally thought it was a bottom gate beam that had broken, it was in fact a top gate beam that swings open after a boat enters the full lock.

As with the two bottom gates that always swing open and had struts that eventual broke off, it is thought that having to open a bottom paddle to close the gate caused the breakage.

Keith Gudgin as been told this gate is now better balanced and easier to operate than ever before, with the beam used from lock 10 at Atherstone, suitably modified and strengthened.