Distinctive Looks at Locks

Wednesday, 19 May 2010 23:00

The Macclesfield Locks have a few things worth looking out for

First, there is the double stop lock at Hall Green - see our blog when we came through - clickety click, or a photo - click on camera

I mentioned the large building blocks of the Bosley Locks on my last blog (Lock 12)

Also, as already mentioned, the locks have double gates top and bottom, with no walkways across from one side to the other. Every lock has a footbridge at the tail, so lots of walking for each lock, unless you want to "risk your neck"!

In Lock 8, looking back

Some of the locks, but by no means all have lock landings at the tail on the off-side, useful for single-handers and crew. Those that haven't have bollards on the towpath side above and below, and all have bollards above.

Off-side lock landing at Lock 4

There are three bollards on  the towpath side in the locks but look out for the single off-side giant bollards!

Off-side lock bollard

Once upon a time each lock had a side pond. These are either derelict or filled in. However there are a couple that have been well looked after.  Lock 10 has a very unloved side pond but Lock 9's is well looked after

At Lock 4, the ground paddle or sluice that allowed water into the side pond has been restored with Lottery money and sits above a restored side pond, except that the actual gear connection to the paddle is missing.

Restored sluice paddle

This is the entrance to the bywash that also feeds the side pond, above Lock 4

As we entered Lock 3, I spotted a rail on the off-side tail wall. I assume this is to help single handers (and crew) to get back onto their narrowboat safely - the climb down to this was via steep steps and a bit of a jump!

Rail on tail

In Lock 3 the off-side walls are reinforced with "kisses". I had noticed this in a number of other of the Bosley Locks. The lock ladders are also distinctive and well maintained.

Completing my "I spy" trip up the Bosley Lock flight, there are two items to look out for. The top ground paddle gear cog is sometimes protected, or rather the operator is protected! Watch out for the grills beside them. They either spout water and shower you or you may get a draft up your trousers, as John did on more than one occasion!

Top ground paddle Lock 3

The second "I spy" is this strapping post and the lock wall protected by the wooden bar; this also prevents the narrowboat helmsman giving it too much right tiller! The strapping post would have been used by working boats, a rope turn would prevent the boat floating off iinto the distance whilst the helmsman shut the gates.

Strapping post and bar

The Bosley flight of locks provide a lovely couple of hours exercise and we really enjoyed coming up the 12 locks. Of course it helped that the sun shone and that all the trees are now breaking out into leaf and blossom.