Five Grand Union Canal lock gates to be replaced

Five locks on the Grand Union Canal are to be completely replaced to ensure it remains "navigable and available for local communities", a charity has said.

The Canal & River Trust says the upgrades have been made possible with funds from the Postcode Lottery.

They will be installed this winter at Stoke Hammond, Milton Keynes and Winkwell, near Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, with three more planned at Stoke Bruerne, Northamptonshire.

The brand new lock gates, which normally last about 25 years, will be manufactured in specialist workshops.

At Stoke Bruerne, Locks 17, 19 and 20 will be renovated.

Teams working on the structures will "combine traditional techniques with modern engineering to create durable lock gates tailored to each individual lock," the charity said.

It said canals were "far more than historic transport routes".

"They are vital community spaces used daily by millions of people for walking, cycling, boating and connecting with nature.

"The replacement of these lock gates will not only support navigation for boaters but also help sustain the many environmental and social benefits that canals provide."

Campbell Robb, its chief executive, said: "Lock gates are at the very heart of canal operations and replacing them is essential to maintaining the resilience of the network."

Laura Chow, head of charities for the Postcode Lottery, said she hoped once work was completed, that "these historic waterways can continue to be enjoyed and valued by communities, boaters and visitors for generations to come".

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