Pike Lock Restoration 1B
Pike Lock Restoration 1B
by: Andy P.
Well it has been exceptionally frustrating and other such ‘ing’ words whilst we waited for approval to start work. But in Mid January 2022 we started work on Pike Lock. Double fencing was erected on both sides of the lock and the footpath diverted. The tool store and pump were gently moved into place and so began the task of erecting the scaffolding.
First job was to get the big pump installed and working-lots of digging and ‘silt’ removal. This task did not last too long, as handballing silt by a bucket would have taken months.
So and as normal, the scaffold was erected through the silt, which was deep and smelly.
Over several days we completed a double height and full lock length structure. Lots of helpers were needed to fetch, carry and lower all the pieces with a big thank you to all of those involved.
Then began the task to identify and start to remove the loose bricks, as well as the obviously badly damaged ones. Jon P team joined in this removal and cleared all the vegetation. Another good team effort.
A start has been made to cut out the ladder recess on the off side. It was not unexpected that the most solid and hardest bricks are in this recess and it is a very slow brick at a time removal.
