Ogley Locks - Lock 5
Wyrley and Essington Canal
Feb 2013
Since my posts on the Ogley Locks I was told that I had missed one of the highlights, Lock 5 next to Barracks Lane.
The tragic remains of lock 5 in Jan 2013
I dont usually miss major objects of interest, to I returned to the scene and the reason for my previous oversight became clear. It has virtually disappeared in the last few weeks.... Why didnt I visit in the Autumn?
Lock 5 coping stones
Lock 5 is indeed right beside Barracks lane, just behind Warren House Farm and immediately beside a new driveway which has been driven through the side of the lock. In fact, a couple of big coping stones are being used to block the roadway.
There is huge damage to this old structure, with just one lower wing wall standing, its old blue bricks emerging from amidst a sea of mud and rubble. The line of the canal upstream is now a driveway - surely a massive obstacle to the reinstatement project?
Lock 5 looking towards Lock 4
So maybe not such a gem anymore, and more a tribute to contemporary vandalism. Surely the lock could have been retained as a feature? Anyway, I thought the restoration line was part of the local infrastructure plan and therefore known to the planners - or was this a renegade action by the land owner?
Looking east over sites of locks 6 and 7.
Turning east, the line of the canal is indistinct, but it would be mice to think it lan in the winding arc where the meltwater was sitting at the time of my 2nd visit.
4 comments:
What a huge shame.
The pity is that the week before Christmas I saw the work being done on lock 5 and thought it was being restored. Wish I'd have taken photos but of course I assumed the "restoration" team would have done it.
As you comment it's now become one more hurdle to overcome in the real retoration.
Dave
Andy... I too am shocked about lock 5..what a waste! Would be interested to hear what the LHCRT have to say. It does seem to be another hurdle indeed. I am glad I visited in Spring 2012 and got a few decent photos.
Cheers, Craig
I can reassure you that Lock 5 is (as seen today) protected behind a new brick wall, erected since we spoke to the owner last month. The new track reaches Barracks Lane on the offside adjacent to the vet's land, entry prevented by two large stones.
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