The one thing you can be sure about canal locks is that firstly they use water to operate and secondly they leak! If you look at old photos or maps you will see the large pond areas next to the locks that acted as reservoirs to ensure there was always sufficient water. Indeed, one of the technical changes to reinstating any of the locks is if there would be sufficient water available.
When the new approach roads to the Silver Jubilee Bridge were constructed in the mid 1970’s, a new drainage line was put in to deal with any overflow water from the Bridgewater Canal It was buried in the locks. It initially followed the old line under the viaduct (now under the cycle path) and then down the new line to the Manchester ship Canal. It is largely buried under the new housing development now, but if you stand on Waterloo Bridge, or on the new cycle path, after heavy rain it’s possible to hear the water flowing.
It’s interesting to observe how far we have come in health and safety management in the intervening period.
If you’d like to know more about the charity Unlock Runcorn, or how you can support us by becoming a Friend, visit our website at unlockruncorn.org.
