Hillmorton Lock 4

[Stroudwater1]

Oh dear, an oversight- how unusual- apparently to get plant to the lock that needs repair requires closing the whole canal. Similar when reopening the lock for three days. Then it’s closed each morning for a short time. Who would imagine such a thing? 
Anyone round there knows if that’s the true picture? We were hoping to get to Rugby on Friday 😕

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/19637-lock-4-hillmorton-oxford-canal

 

 

[markeymark]

26 minutes ago, Stroudwater1 said:

Oh dear, an oversight- how unusual- apparently to get plant to the lock that needs repair requires closing the whole canal. Similar when reopening the lock for three days. Then it’s closed each morning for a short time. Who would imagine such a thing? 
Anyone round there knows if that’s the true picture? We were hoping to get to Rugby on Friday 😕

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/19637-lock-4-hillmorton-oxford-canal

 

 

At the bottom of the advice it states that as it is a double lock then access will be still be available....i.e. only one half of lock 4 will be closed

[Tonka]

49 minutes ago, markeymark said:

At the bottom of the advice it states that as it is a double lock then access will be still be available....i.e. only one half of lock 4 will be closed

But who has a 3 ft 6 boat to use half of the lock

[Tracy D'arth]

Are the Hillmorton 6 paired locks not individually numbered 2 to 7?

#1 being Sutton's Stop?

[Hudds Lad]

From the Book of Face …

 

 

[Stroudwater1]

Yes the 

1 hour ago, markeymark said:

At the bottom of the advice it states that as it is a double lock then access will be still be available....i.e. only one half of lock 4 will be closed

At the bottom of the updated advise it says this- (NB Dated 9th Nov- how very poor, 3 days before closure of the busiest locks on the canals, even at this time of year. )

 

It looks from the book of face that its a pretty definite no pass zone till Saturday. Any further info anyone has meantime is appreciated. Thanks 

 

We apologise to customers affected by this closure. There has been an oversight in the planning of the gate replacement at Hillmorton Lock 4, which means there now needs to be a short navigational closure at the start and end of the works to mobilise plant and equipment to and from site.

This is an error that was not spotted until yesterday and one which will be investigated internally to ensure lessons are learnt and the mistake does not reoccur in the future. We sincerely apologise to our customers for not getting this right and for the inconvenience caused.

The canal will be closed until 4pm on Friday 12th November and again on the 15th, 16th and 17th of December whilst the site equipment is removed. Between 15th November and 14th December we will need a short navigational restriction between 07:30 and 09:30 Monday to Friday to allow materials and workers to access the constructions site.

 

[Lady M]

I think the canal was closed on Monday 8th November and the notice issued on Tuesday 9th November.

[ditchcrawler]

This is the actual notice details 

 

09/11/2021 19:11

We apologise to customers affected by this closure. There has been an oversight in the planning of the gate replacement at Hillmorton Lock 4, which means there now needs to be a short navigational closure at the start and end of the works to mobilise plant and equipment to and from site.

This is an error that was not spotted until yesterday and one which will be investigated internally to ensure lessons are learnt and the mistake does not reoccur in the future. We sincerely apologise to our customers for not getting this right and for the inconvenience caused.

The canal will be closed until 4pm on Friday 12th November and again on the 15th, 16th and 17th of December whilst the site equipment is removed. Between 15th November and 14th December we will need a short navigational restriction between 07:30 and 09:30 Monday to Friday to allow materials and workers to access the constructions site.

Outside of these time the navigation will be fully available

[matty40s]

It must have been quite a surprise to find another lock in the way of access, I wonder how long that has been there!!

[Bod]

Pixies dug it last night.

 

Bod.

[john6767]

6 hours ago, Tracy D'arth said:

Are the Hillmorton 6 paired locks not individually numbered 2 to 7?

#1 being Sutton's Stop?

Yes

[roland elsdon]

I think its crt talk for we need to get the gates in by water and forgot to organise a flat.

Hope they inscribe suitable doggrel on the new gate.

 

My suggestion

‘this route to …… up’

[PeterScott]

6 hours ago, Tracy D'arth said:

Are the Hillmorton 6 paired locks not individually numbered 2 to 7?

#1 being Sutton's Stop?

5 minutes ago, john6767 said:

Yes

 

 

Yes, the modern numbering has the middle set as 4/5. Reading Bradshaw from 1904 has them numbered "2,to 4 Hillmorton (duplicate locks, side by side)." Someone will be along in a mo with the date the numbering was changed ... 

2 minutes ago, roland elsdon said:

... Hope they inscribe suitable doggrel on the new gate.  My suggestion ‘this route to …… up’

 

The current words ... 

 

[Stroudwater1]

6 hours ago, roland elsdon said:

I think its crt talk for we need to get the gates in by water and forgot to organise a flat.

Hope they inscribe suitable doggrel on the new gate.

 

My suggestion

‘this route to …… up’

Open this end,  perhaps? 

 

Edited November 11, 2021 by Stroudwater1

[magpie patrick]

16 hours ago, PeterScott said:

 

 

Yes, the modern numbering has the middle set as 4/5. Reading Bradshaw from 1904 has them numbered "2,to 4 Hillmorton (duplicate locks, side by side)." Someone will be along in a mo with the date the numbering was changed ... 

Bradshaw sometimes made it up as he went along. On many canals his numbering is the reverse of that used locally 

[ditchcrawler]

Where di it say the gates were coming in on a flat. Surly if its the offside lock they are going to need to close the near side one to transport equipment across it

[Rob-M]

16 minutes ago, ditchcrawler said:

Where di it say the gates were coming in on a flat. Surly if its the offside lock they are going to need to close the near side one to transport equipment across it

I think this is probably the bit the planner missed that there is another lock in the way that they are going to have to move stuff over.

[BEngo]

Perhaps it would be helpful  if the planner went and looked at the job, or even at Gurgle earf.

N

[Rose Narrowboats]

 

On 11/11/2021 at 16:14, PeterScott said:

 

Yes, the modern numbering has the middle set as 4/5. Reading Bradshaw from 1904 has them numbered "2,to 4 Hillmorton (duplicate locks, side by side)." Someone will be along in a mo with the date the numbering was changed ...

The locks were duplicated in 1840, and had been renumbered prior to the compilation 1843 lengths book.

 

They've never needed a full stoppage to get materials on site fore that lock before, but Hillmorton is now "cared" for by West Mids and none of the staff have any knowledge or affinity to the area....

[Col_T]

Genuine question - how many instances are there of pairs of locks on the network, like those at Hillmorton?

[TheBiscuits]

Cheshire locks 

 

Ellesmere Port - possibly don't count as they are a flight of broad locks and a parallel flight of narrow locks.

 

Dean locks, Ell Meadow locks (disused outside track) on the L&L.  Appley Bridge probably doesn't count as it's one deep lock paralleled by two shallower ones (disused).

 

Leeds Lock A&C. Again the outside track is no longer used.

[matty40s]

Quite a long stretch of them from Kidsgrove to Middlewich on the T&M

Sometimes called Heartbreak Hill.....

Edited November 13, 2021 by matty40s

[TheBiscuits]

Weaver Navigation - again large and smaller locks side by side.

[Col_T]

Thanks, chaps. More useless info to replace stuff I really ought to try and remember!

[Rob-M]

Stourport has wide and narrow locks.