Works at Tyrley

WORK started in early November to replace the bottom gates of Tyrley Top Lock, on the Shropshire Union Canal, Richard Hall writes and illustrates.

For some reason the timber from which the old gates had been made had not proved to be very durable, one of the balance beams had to have a section renewed only a matter of months after they had been installed.

Underpin the wash wall

Whilst the lock and the pound below are drained down the Trust are taking advantage of the access provided to underpin the wash wall along the towpath by the pound. Whilst the wall is in good condition the base has been washed away in some parts and looks to be in imminent danger of collapse with a large crack along the edge of the towpath. It has not been an easy job because of the difficulty of access but it has been successfully completed by pumping concrete down from the road into a dumper to transfer it along the pound to where it was needed.

The works are also being extended from gate replacement to investigate the increasing leak of water down the steps on the offside of the lock which is giving rise to safety issues because it is making the steps slippery and dangerous for boaters to use when operating the lock. This is the reason for the colourful display of screening in front of the cottages, to shield their windows from flying debris arising whilst some of the concrete is broken up during the investigation.

Despite the publicity given by the Trust to lock closures at this time of year there was an inevitable 'what do we do now' moment on Tuesday when a narrowboat arrived from the South in pouring rain expecting to transit the locks!