Historic West Bromwich lock to be repaired in revamp
Repairs are to be made along a stretch of the Walsall Canal in West Bromwich as part of a programme of works to bring it back up to scratch.
A historic lock will be revamped while brickwork will also be touched up along the towpath.
The area off Ryding Green Road is badly in need of repair, with the parts of the lock degrading and brickwork on the towpath crumbling.
The Canal and River Trust has now revealed plans to start improvements to help protect the canalside.
The trust says 'essential repairs' are needed to 'safeguard the historic fabric' of the lock, which is listed due to its cultural importance. The series of locks that run alongside the canal date back to the mid-18th century.
It said it was also important for new brickwork to be laid to prevent other bricks from being ripped up by vandals, with antisocial behaviour being rife in the area.
The damaged lock and canalside also poses a risk of injury to people passing, the group said.
A section of the chamber wall at the canalside would need to be completely rebuilt as part of the project, the trust said.
The works would also include towpath side coping and repairs to lockside brick sheeting.
The historic lock has become worn over the years, with the metal beginning to rust. Part of the brickwork surrounding it is also missing.
A statement from the Canal and River Trust, presented alongside the plans, said: "The repair works proposed form part of a continuous programme of maintenance designed so that the continuing functionality and structural integrity of the historic fabric of the waterways is assured.
"The proposed works have been carefully designed to minimise any impact on the fabric and significance while ensuring that the canal remains a historical resource that can be accessed and enjoyed by all.
"The principle behind the scheme is to improve the public and canal user's safety by reducing the scope for material damage or personal injury while operating and passing through this lock.
"On the offside a section of brick sheeting has been ripped up between the escape ladder and the top end gate. In addition a gap has opened up between he brick sheeting and lockside copper from the escape ladder to the lower lockside bollard.
"This gap should be repointed to prevent further sections of sheeting being removed given the high level of antisocial behaviour in this area."
