News Today: New oak lock gates fitted on Rochdale Canal in Manchester's Gay Village
news today crews replaced a pair of worn lock gates on the Rochdale Canal running through Manchester's Gay Village, draining about 110, 000 gallons so an 80-tonne crane could lift bespoke oak gates that each weigh three tonnes; the work took place on 14 and 15 Feb.
The two new oak gates were installed to renew ageing timber hardware on the waterway, and replacing them cost about £165, 000 in total, with the gates themselves manufactured for roughly £57, 000 in a specialist workshop.
News Today: Crane lifted bespoke oak gates after water drained
An 80-tonne crane positioned over the drained lock lifted the bespoke oak leaves, each weighing three tonnes, into place after teams drained about 110, 000 gallons from the chamber, the operation carried out on 14 and 15 Feb.
The roughly £165, 000 bill covered cabins for the on-site team, scaffolding, a fabric dam to manage the water, security on-site and fuel to run the pumps, with the oak gates built in a specialist workshop for about £57, 000.
What crews found in the canal
news today workers pulled up a wide range of items from the bottom of the canal while carrying out the work. Mark Wigley, 53, from the Canal and River Trust, said the old gates "weren't a pretty sight" and "needed some attention. "
Wigley described a grab-bag of finds that illustrate changing everyday life: "We've found everything, from early Nokia phones to the latest iPhones, " he said. He also listed more concerning items recovered, including knives, guns and safes, alongside random shoes, umbrellas and walking sticks.
Rochdale Canal's long route and maintenance cycle
The Rochdale Canal runs 32 miles and crosses the Pennines between Manchester and Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire; it contains 91 locks along that route. The waterway first opened in 1804 to carry heavy loads such as coal for the textile industry, closed in 1952 and later underwent a long restoration before fully reopening to boats in 2002.
The reopening project included construction of 12 new road bridges and the refurbishment of 24 locks. Because the lifespan of oak lock gates is about 25 years, many of the canal's timber gates are now at the point where they need replacing again.
With the two new gates installed on 14 and 15 Feb and the cost accounted for, crews have left a recently refurbished lock ready in the short term; the wider programme of maintenance on the 32-mile route continues to reflect the canal's original 1804 infrastructure and the ongoing need to replace oak gates as they reach their expected lifespan.
