Water-way to spend the day as divers inspect canal gates

The hardy scuba specialists have been working in the Birmingham Main Line Canal near Tipton to check out the condition of safety gates which protect homes and businesses.

The operation, which is project from the Canal and River Trust charity, involves inspecting a number of safety gates which are located within the wall of the towpath or along the bottom of the waterway.

The gates, made from wood or metal, are designed to protect residents in the rare event that there is a breach in the canal bed or embankment.

They work by automatically closing if there is a surge of water rushing along the canal.

The weight of the water will keep the gates closed and create a seal preventing any further water from emptying out of the canal and into the surrounding areas.

Waterways bosses said a specialist team of divers was inspecting the gates and would carry out any minor repairs if needed.

Dean Davies, waterways manager for the Canal and River Trust, said: "These safety gates are a brilliant yet simple piece of engineering.

"They are extremely important, which is why we carry out a thorough inspection of them every year.

"Although they are rarely used we need to make sure that they are in good working order and can easily close should they spring into action.

"This time of year the water in the canal is freezing and although the divers are well equipped and used to working in these sorts of conditions we can only have them in the water for a few minutes at a time. Otherwise they will start to suffer from the effects of the cold.

"The specialist team of divers will inspect the gates to make sure they are in good working order, ensure that any debris or silt around the gate is removed and if necessary carry out any minor repairs," he added.

The inspections are taking place along the Birmingham Main Line Canal, the Tame Valley Canal and the Worcester and Birmingham Canal.

Work is expected to last around two weeks.