Underfloor void causes lock leakage
THE Canal & River Trust was forced to close part of the Ripon Canal in mid-May due to excessive leakage of water from Oxclose Lock while boaters were trying to use it, writes Colin Wareing.
It was also necessary to extend the closure to include Bellfurrows Lock and Rhodesfield Lock to control water levels.
Once investigated it was found that there was a large void under the timber floor of Oxclose Lock through which water was leaking. The lock was closed, drained and about 100 tonnes of gravel brought in by workboat to fill the void. This was then stabilised into a solid mass by specialist contractors pumping grout into the gravel. As we went to press, CRT reported that following repairs, the scaffolding was due to be taken out of the lock and following removal of equipment, the lock was expected to reopen on July 17.