Rare lock gates returned to Oxford Canal at Rugby

A fully refurbished set of cast iron lock gates have been returned to the Oxford Canal in Rugby, Warwickshire.



The gates, thought to be one of only two sets of iron gates across canals in Britain, were removed after inspections showed they were in need of repairs.

British Waterways said having solid cast iron lock gates on the canal was rare as most had been replaced with wooden ones.

A spokeswoman said it was hoped they would last for another 100 years.

The iron locks, refurbished at a cost of £40,000, are at the Hillmorton Lock Flight and were installed in 1840.

British Waterways' heritage adviser Dennis Maney said: "This is the first time in over 170 years these lock gates have needed a complete overhaul which just reflects how well they were made and have been looked after by our skilled maintenance team."

The only other known pair of gates are at Claydon, on the Oxford Canal, near Banbury, British Waterways said.