British Waterways replaces ancient oak lock gate on Hertford Union canal

Work is under way to improve the ageing locks on the historic Hertford Union canal in London’s East End.

The original hand-crafted oak gates at the beginning of the two-mile canal connecting the Lee Navigation with the Regent’s Canal by Victoria Park have been lifted out, to be replaced.

Dredging work continues this week with the 17ft-deep lock at Hackney Wick being emptied to carry out repairs and upgrading to the ancient mechanism which operates the lock.

The �90,000 work is due to be completed by March 2, part of British Waterways’ �50 million improvement programme started in October to replace 100 oak lock gates up and down the country to preserve the nation’s 200-year-old canal network for future generations.