IWA and CaRT heritage row

A ROW has broken out between Canal & River Trust and Inland Waterways Association concerning a disused grade II listed lock at Saul Junction, writes Allan Richards.

IWA have accused CaRT of allowing the lock and surrounding area to fall into disrepair. CaRT have countered by demanding that IWA contributes to its maintenance.

Saul Junction Lock

Saul Lock (also known as Junction Lock) was built about 1820 as a result of the construction of the Gloucester & Berkley Canal (now Gloucester & Sharpness) crossing the line of the Stroudwater. The lock is slightly unusual in a number of ways having a small swing bridge across it, balance beams in two sections and horizontal rack and pinion mechanism on the paddle gear.

The lock was at one time infilled but was later returned to its present state with the brick and stone lined chamber in water and gates in situ.

Falling apart

Rodger Holmes, Chairman of the Gloucestershire and Herefordshire branch of the IWA states grass around the lock is no longer being cut, there are potholes in the car park and the lock's unique winding gear is 'falling apart'.

He adds that CaRT don't seem to have any interest in it. However, CaRT says that its funding is limited and IWA must also help maintain the site.

CaRT local manager, Nick Worthington has gone further explaining:

"We get a government grant which is restricted to maintaining the critical safety assets such as the locks, the tunnels and the infrastructure of the canal."

Whinge

IWA can whinge all it likes about CaRT not maintaining a listed structure in its charge, but the money is not available. Part of the reason it is not available is that IWA decided that it was more important that British Waterways move to the third sector than be properly funded.

The Trust needs to spend over £130m next year on its waterways but will only spend £77.5m. CaRT can not stop its operational infrastructure from crumbling, much less deal with non-operational heritage.

....and bearing in mind what has happened elsewhere, money may not become available until the lock finds its way onto the 'at risk' register and English Heritage give CaRT a handout. After all, that is what happened to the guillotine lock at Kings Norton on the Stratford on Avon Canal after years of British Waterways neglect.