Bedford guillotine lock powered

THE hand operated Bedford Guillotine Lock on the River Great Ouse is being automated, with work having now started.

This is one of the last of the guillotine locks on the river to be powered, at a cost of  £110,000, with most of its mechanism being replaced, Alan Tilbury reveals.

Safety devices

Its new control system will of course be push-button, and will incorporated a safety delay feature and timers, as safety devices.

Environment Agency Engineer, Eric Biggadike, tells us:

"The work will improve the lock for boaters on the River Great Ouse and ensure its smooth and safe operation for the 2012 boating season."

The lock is of course closed to boaters until the end of April whilst the work is being carried out.