Despite some limitations, i.e. the time it takes to set and the fact that it cannot be used when the temperature is below 4 degrees Celsius; lime mortar brick work possesses elasticity desirable in such structures. The use of lime mortar is also supported and recommended by the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage.
The large tree growing through the cill was felled by WRG Forestry. The size and depth of the stump and its roots took three heavy working weekends to dig out. This meant that little remained of the original cill structure and top gate recesses. Reinforced concrete was used to replace the cill… challenging but enjoyable work for determined wrgies!
The brickwork was completed and coping stones levelled this summer.
So, what happens next?
Jon Pontefract gave a characteristically positive answer, “The spill weir will be rebuilt and the whole site needs to be seeded with grass. A supply of water to the top of the lock will occur sometime in the future. In the meantime we take the view that restoration should occur wherever and whenever possible… sort of ‘a brick in time saves nine approach’ if you like”
At present, it isn’t possible for the general public to access the site, as it remains private property. A regular Thursday evening group of Cotswold Canals Trust Volunteers based at the Trust’s Eastern Depot near Latton is gradually clearing the towpath and canal bed north-west of the lock. The hope is to gain land owners permission to establish a permissive path to continue the Thames and Severn Way.
Jon summed up by saying, “Thanks are due to The Co-operative Group who have been understanding & supportive hosts during the restoration. We hope to move on shortly to other structures under their ownership.”
Nigel Shields from Savills the Co-operative Group's agent says – "I am pleased that the Canals Trust has restored the lock – this is one of the many structures on the canal in need of restoration – the Co-operative Group is pleased to support the Canals Trust and looks forward to working with them in respect of other structures along the route as it crosses the estate."
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