Restoration Drungewick Lock and bridge

LOCATION   Map 7

The state of the lock ~   It was at the end of 1988 that this lock was surveyed prior to the start of restoration work. Initial inspection revealed the extent of the damage caused by over a century of neglect.   The lock chamber was filled with a mass of undergrowth, mud and fallen tree trunks, and there were large trees growing dangerously close to the bridge foundations.   Above the lock it was difficult to see that there had once even been a canal here.   As 1989 began, over 600 yards of tough jungle were cleared away, and the canal bed began to reappear.   Shortly after, the whole section was dredged by the landowner and once more half a mile of canal was filled with water.

Repairs to Drungewick Lock 2003-2004

Restoration begins ~   After many of the overhanging trees in and around the lock chamber had been cut down, it was the condition of the bridge which warranted urgent attention.   The arch had been reduced to just one thickness of bricks and was in danger of collapse.   So after the covering of earth had been carefully removed from the crown, a concrete strip was laid over a third of the width of the bridge to consolidate the arch.   Most of the clearance work was accomplished by volunteers over a two week summer canal camp in the summer of 1989.   By the end of the second week the lock chamber was practically cleared of the debris accumulated over the previous 100 years and the fallen trees had been cut up.

Work on the bridge proceeded quickly as Jack Pocock, expert bricklayer, built up the new parapets with considerable skill.   Over the years many of the original stone masonry blocks of the chamber had been removed and used elsewhere, and a method was devised to make concrete 'look-alike' blocks to replace the missing stones. NEXT - The 'look-alike' blocks BACK

Last updated July 2000