Open Day at Johnson's Hillock

Published: Thursday, 01 February 2018

DESPITE a cold and very blustery day there was a good turnout at Wheelton on Sunday January 28th to view the dewatered locks at Johnson's Hillock, writes Peter Lloyd.

 Johnsons Hillock 2018It was a pleasure to see so many families with young children braving the elements to walk down the flight of seven locks to see where the new lock gates are being installed.

View the gates

Visitors could descend into Lock 61 (fourth from the top) to view the new gates in position and Canal & River Trust had set up several stands with information for those unfamiliar with the scope of the Trust's operations.

The new gates were built at Stanley Ferry Workshop in European oak and viewed from below there size is impressive. To facilitate the work the pounds between locks 61 and 64 have been dewatered revealing nothing more exciting than a couple of windlasses and a pipe fender according to the CaRT staff on duty.

After their visit, most people seemed to be trying to warm up at the Top Lock pub which was busy serving coffee and chips continuously. [Photographs supplied by Peter.]

Johnsons Hillock