Calder & Hebble lock landing being repaired

THREE years ago Storm Clara took away a lock landing on the Calder & Hebble Navigation in Elland.

This was at Woodside Mills Lock where the storm took away both the lock landing and towpath, but now, with vital funding secured thanks to the support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery, work has begun on a £507,000 programme of repairs at the lock where a 30 metres section of collapsed lock landing and towpath is being repaired.

The works include repairing the storm-damaged lock landing and retaining wall along the towpath edge and resurfacing the towpath along the entire length, with the trust's specialists re-using and replacing the existing original stone.

Boat and floating pontoon

Because of the location and limited access, the workers are delivering materials and carrying out the majority of work from the water, using a boat and floating pontoon, with Sean McGinley, Director for Yorkshire & North East explaining:

“We are delighted to have secured vital funding awarded by Postcode Earth Trust, thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery. This is a much-needed support as the repairs from the effects of flooding are costly and time consuming. Whilst there will be some disruption for boats on our navigation and people on the towpath, it is great to be able to complete these vital repairs.”

The works however will not be completed in time for this summer's boating as it is not anticipated to be completed until the end of summer.

Figure of Three Locks

Storm Clara was also responsible for washing away the Figure of Three Locks, it becoming Canal & River Trust's most damaged single structure across its entire network, when flood water from the River Calder overtopped causing £3 millions damage.

The restoration of Figure of Three Locks and the washed-out towpath was completed in April 2022, and now work can begin on the repairs at Woodside Lock .