The Five Rise Locks at Bingley are such a massive structure that you can't really take in the whole thing from any viewpoint. From the top they drop away so steeply that you can't see them. Even from the bottom, you can't really tell that there are five chambers, though they do look quite impressive. I suppose you'd need a drone to get an aerial viewpoint but I'm never likely to get one of those! The staircase of locks was built in 1774 and has changed little since then, though they obviously have to renew the parts every now and again. The massive oak gates eventually start to rot in the water.
There are some more photos and information on the Canal Trust's website HERE.
Lots of hard work involved for the boat-people, but a pretty picture for the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteI have seen professional boatmen with empty boats come down the flight two chambers at a time, water flowing over the cills,the lock gates and pouring over the grassed areas around the stonework. This time-saving method is not to be recommended. Each descent costs five full chambers of water, and each ascent a further five full chambers. Longbotham's multi-risers on the L+L are very expensive of scarce water. It is better to build a water saving pound between several single chambers, as at Devizes on the Kennet and Avon. These pounds fill up and give the water free again when required for the next ascent.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to see a 5 rise via drone video the opening shots of this BBC vide0 may be of interest. Here's the link:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-34417231/britain-s-canals-a-bird-s-eye-view-by-drone
What an engineering feat! It's really amazing, and I'd love to watch a boat slowly being lifted, lock by lock. Of course I've often wondered what the locks must be like on the Panama Canal as well. Same design I imagine.
ReplyDeleteThat must take a while to go through there with a boat!
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