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Pennine Waterways
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Pennine Waterways
Huddersfield Narrow Canal
Lock 4W, off Caroline Street, Stalybridge (1)
      
Lock 4W
Looking east from Caroline Street in March 2000: Work begins on the construction of the new Lock 4W adjacent to Caroline Street, Stalybridge. Sheet piles are being driven into the ground around the area to be excavated.

Lock 4W
The top level of the ground has been removed to reveal the stonework of the original lock. The picture shows how the garage site now extends over part of the lock which makes it necessary to construct a new lock slightly to the south of the original.

Lock 4W
The site for the new lock has being excavated between the sheet piles.

Lock 4W
Lock 4W, looking west towards Caroline Street. The piles along the sides of the lock have been removed. Water has collected in the bottom of the lock. Beyond the lock, preparations are being made to sink piles to enable the construction of the new bridge below Caroline Street.

Lock 4W
The concrete walls of the lock chamber and tail are complete. The spaces behind the walls have been filled and the piles are being removed. The new lock is being built a little to the right of the old one, with the canal following a new line south of the original to Lock 5W in the distance, below the Market Hall clock tower. This re-alignment means that the bridge under Caroline Street will need to be re-aligned too, so the original bridge cannot be used. A wall is to be built in front of the piles supporting the bank on the right of the picture and a towpath in front of that. It can been seen that boats will have a tight turn entering or leaving the top end of the lock.

Lock 4W
The gates and paddle mechanism have been fitted. Before the canal fills with water there is a chance to see the paddles at the head of Lock 4W.

Next page: Lock 4W - page 2

My thanks to Tameside Council for providing access to take some of these photographs.

    
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