Canal drained as lock gates replaced

The canal has been drained in order for the lock gates to be replaced

A stretch of canal has been drained in Stratford-upon-Avon to allow for a replacement set of lock gates to be installed as part of a £50m project.

The work along the Stratford Canal near Maidenhead Road at Lock 53 is being carried out by The Canal & River Trust and is due to be completed by the end of February.

A spokesperson said specialist carpenters based in Bradley had hand-crafted new gates from solid oak.

The work is being undertaken during winter when, according to the trust, the canal has less boating activity.

The spokesperson added: “Each of our lock gates [has] a lifespan of around 25 years.

“After this time, they normally need replacing to ensure they are watertight and are easy for boaters to operate.”

The trust will also be holding a "behind the scenes" open day in Wolverhampton on 24 and 25 February where visitors will get to meet the team carrying out the works and find out what goes in to protecting the country’s historic canal network.

The work in Stratford-upon-Avon comes under a £50m programme of spending across the trust's canal network in England and Wales this winter.