Entry: 17th January 2019
Access road, bywash, dams installed and the lock pumped out, work could begin to clear the extensive amount of rubble and silt from the lock chamber.
This lock was found to be in poorer condition than even that of Lock 15. The remaining (towpath side) wall and the lower thrust block/quadrants were all found to be unsound and required taking down completely. With Lock 15, although requiring extensive work, the lower thrust blocks were restorable.
The invert has also been found to be in poor condition, again, unlike that of Lock 15.
Recovered whole bricks are being cleaned up for reuse; broken bricks/rubble removed from site.
The site is now ready for the first concrete pour.
