96. A look at the March 2020 Foxton Locks Winter Repair Works
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- Опубліковано 18 чер 2024
- I recently visited Foxton Staircase Locks on the Grand Union Canal - Leicester Line, to see the Winter Repair Works and showed some short clips of this on my last video ‘That Was The Week That Was’. This is a more in depth look at my two site visits, the first on a Sunday when the Canal and River Trust were holding one of several open weekends to show the public, the repairs and maintenance work being undertaken, and the second, mid-week when there was much activity on the site.
These are the longest and steepest staircase locks in the UK, rising 75 feet (23 metres) and comprise ten locks arranged in two flights of five. They form the northern terminus of the 20 miles (32 kilometres) lock free summit on the Leicester Line with Watford Staircase Locks forming the southern terminus.
For an understanding of how this particular type of staircase lock flight works, please view this video on Watford Locks (Final Part): • 22. Watford Locks Gate...
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Thank you very much for showing us the locks in all their glory.
Thanks Don, I'm glad you liked it.
Another very enjoyable video Alan 👍
I should be down there next week sometime for another visit.
For anyone who might find it useful, when I was passing through the locks in December I was piggy-backing the car. The attendant in the top car park allowed me to leave it there for 4 days until I could get back to pick it up, she was very helpful and wouldn’t take any payment when offered. Helped me out no end so a big thank you to her! 😊
Many thanks, glad you enjoyed it. On my first visit, I parked in the top car park and I thought the attendants were very helpful.
Foxton is a Great place, well worth a visit. Been there loads of times and never get tired of it. The views are spectacular winter or summer.
I agree with you, it’s a great place to go. Cheers
Back in the 1960´s I lived about 20 miles from Foxton and it was often a day out for us as kids. Now when I´m in the UK I always go there a couple of times. I even have a Foxton Locks plaque on my garden house.
Hi Roger, it's a great place to visit, especially when the sun is out, you must have some very fond memories. Cheers.
It is fantastic what the crt do to maintain the canals and locks for our pleasure to enjoy them, thanks Alan for sharing your visits was as usual a brilliant vlog.
Thanks very much Matt.
been to Foxton locks many times. On foot and bycycle. very nice place and it is great to see the the works. thank you very much
My pleasure, it's a great place to visit, so much going on. Hope you're keeping well.
As I child I went many times to Foxton Locks and it was always a treat. My brother and I got most excited when one of the side ponds overflowed into the side pond below. I have very fond memories of the place.
Thank you also for an insight into work that i wasn't aware was underway since I now live a long way away.
If only they would resurrect the inclined plane. It's not as visual as the Falkirk wheel but, as far as I can tell, it is exactly the same principle and, therefore just as efficient. I guess it would also be a jolly sight quicker.
Thanks Paul, I'm glad the video brought back fond memories. I've never seen the side ponds overflow. At Watford Staircase Locks there are overflows that run behind the ponds, so that couldn't happen. It would be magical to see the incline working but I believe thoughts of reviving it have been squashed. Cheers
Visited there yesterday. Amazing to see the work that was carried out. It was all looking fantastic in the summer sun.
Glad you enjoyed your visit Richard, it is amazing engineering for the time it was built.
I should be there now.....the stinking virus. I spent 4 weeks in foxton last feb/March. Busting to go back. Next year now. I love the weather in March. Thanks so much. I really enjoyed this vid.
Many thanks Greg, unfortunately, we're all having to change our plans. Hope you're keeping well.
Work fascinates me, I can sit and watch it for hours!
Hi Allan, thank you for a wonderful trip down memory lane. Foxton Locks was our favourite Sunday jaunt for a nice relaxing meal at the Inn close to home. You drove right past our Berridge she Lane in HusBos. Beautiful part of the world and super interesting to see the amount of work to maintain the Locks. Thanks again from NZ
Thanks Sue, sounds as though this video has been a fond reminder of old memories. The Locks are a great destination, so much to see. All the best
We went through Foxton Locks on our holiday in 2018. Like you say, you don't realise how shallow the pound in the middle is. The CRT volunteers soon got us down the locks and we were watched by a Saturday afternoon crowd.
It’s a busy location for gongoozlers and a lovely place to be. Should take about 45 minutes, once under way. The wait could be several hours though.
Having fallen down a flight of stairs, I can tell you that you should buy the volunteer that saved you several rounds at the pub! This was a very interesting look at work we don't see in Florida as it is pretty much flat! Take care, Alan. Zach
Hi Zach. Fortunately, I wasn't heading down the stairs but just off the raised platform at the top of the stairs. My laces were double tied but are extra long, so I tuck them in the top of my walking boots. One came out and I trod on it therefore losing my balance. I hope you weren't badly injured when you fell. Glad you enjoyed. Cheers
I've been there today!
Hope you enjoyed looking around.
Thanks Arnold 👍
Arnold?? Cheers Alan
@@MyNarrowboatVenture I will be back
I LOVED THAT WALK AROUND FROM BERMUDA
Exelent video Alan, Foxton Locks is a fabulous place isnt it, i look forward to taking my boat down the flight one day 😄.
Many thanks Dave, glad you liked it. I think it’s a great place. The closure north of the Locks is expected to finish on 9th April, so won’t be many boats passing through yet. Cheers😃
Great Vlog Alan not to good out this morning
Hi Dave. Hope all well with your cruising plans. Yesterday was a lovely day. I shall be back in the Marina today, Tuesday.
Another great video please be careful with your shoe laces at our ages a break isn't good big hugs and always enjoy your videos whatever they are stay safe my friend:)))
Many thanks Lynn. The shoe laces were double tied but are too long, so I tuck them into the top of my boots. One came out and I accidentally trod on it causing me to lose my balance. Fortunately, I don't wear them that often. Cheers
monumental work goes on there
Very nice Vlog, thanks for sharing. I don’t know whether they would have finished or not the works with this bloody 🦠... We had originally planned to cross the channel, go to the Crick Show and then pursue up north, but now, we’re all confined ☹️. Good luck and take care of yourself.
Many thanks, the locks have now opened and a blockage a little further northwards has been cleared. We're now in lock down from this evening. Unimaginable what's happening. You also keep safe. Best wishes Alan
Thanks for using your time in this way. Nice to see how this work is done.
Many thanks for your appreciative remark.
Another great job. You always do so well at getting us all the sights and sounds that you are getting there. Now if someone would invent smellavision we could get the smells too, or maybe not. Thanks again.
Hi Don, thanks for your kind remark. I'm pleased to say there weren't really any smells to take note of, good or bad but I know exactly what you mean. Cheers
Morning Alan, Thank you for a very interesting vlog.Take care.
Many thanks Sue, glad you found it of interest.
Thanks for sharing Alan nice weather for it today you are doing a great job.
Many thanks Victor, cheers.
I love Foxton Locks, been many times, always a great day out. Very nice vlog Sire
Many thanks, it's a great destination, particularly when the sun shines!
Hi Alan- Thank goodness that volunteer caught you! Another great vlog and while it’s logical to think maintenance of the canals takes a lot of effort this really showed the scope of the effort invested👍🏻 See you in the next one😊
Many thanks Debbie. This is the longest flight of staircase locks in the country and with 10 locks in all, the work is quite intensive. I've not had time recently to look at any other vlogs but will try and catch up with yours when I can.
Fascinating stuff as always Alan...really enjoyed watching...🍷🍷
Many thanks Steve.
Thanks Alan I really wanted to go and see that for myself drove down but it was so busy I gave up trying to get parked and decided that filming would be difficult so I am so glad that you made it and shared this. The Trent is in the yellow at the moment so I am ready to go as soon as the river lock is open. Thanks Alan take care. Alan.
Hi Alan, I've just been out cruising for 3 days, which I really enjoyed. Visiting the locks at the weekend is difficult but during the week, there is hardly anyone around. Hope you get out soon, cheers Alan
Thank you Allen for such an interesting video. I wear lace up shoes, if the laces are long always do a double bow .you had a lucky escape . Take care love your videos and the music is good too.
Many thanks Ann. I was wearing my walking boots, the laces are very long and were double tied. I tuck the extra length into the boot but it unexpectedly came out and my other foot trod on it causing me to lose my balance.
Hi Alan another interesting one. Really well put together. Hope your keeping well. Many thanks.
I'm fine thanks Annie, hope you are. Thanks for your kind remark.
Hi Alan, I was just imagining how many workers were involved when the locks were originally built. Looking at the current way of doing the work and all the modern equipment used it still seems quite a difficult task. Great content once more. Oh yes, please remember to keep those boot laces tied tightly before we lose all future content.....!! Happy cruising.
Many thanks Ian. The boot laces were double tied. The problem is they are too long, so I tuck them in to the top of my boots but one came out and I accidentally trod on it losing my balance. All the best.
Nice one thank you for sharing this with us sending regards 👏❤️😁xx
Many thanks. Cheers
Nice vid
I like the change to your intro and your background music as you’re driving. Glad you didn’t fall on those stairs😅 and the vlog was excellent info. I’ve also revised my channel intro, my logo/channel art, funny our channels both changed that. You also made me try some new camera techniques when I saw your changes👍🏻 I’m using a more story telling process in my vlogs also for 2020. Thanks for taking us to the locks today and will see u in your next vlog
I've not really changed my intro just using a different approach for the driving shots. I hope your changes following my techniques work well for you. All the best Alan
Nice video Alan. Keep up the good work. Cheers Santé 🥂
Many thanks Guy, all the best.
Most interesting. Thanks for the great vlog showing all the work. Man it must be cold working in the water.
MyPlonkerboy No, the water is pre-heated to 27.0C so that the guys can stay warm and nice.
Many thanks, glad you liked it.
A great insight thank you. enjoyed the music choice too
Many thanks.
I wonder how many windlasses the CRT pull out of those empty locks as well as cell phones, keys, and other miscellany? Another interesting vlog, Alan.
Many thanks. It tends to be side fenders that get caught in the locks. It's best not to have them down, in case they snag and the boat gets stuck. It could be nasty.
Hi Alan, another great vlog. With all the detritus in the drained pounds and locks, do they get a dredge and clean up before being refilled? Seems a shame to waste the chance if not
Many thanks Edward. I really don't know what happens but like you, I hope they wouldn't miss the opportunity for a tidy up.
Wow, you were lucky that guy managed to catch you
That's for certain but I wasn't heading for the stairs fortunately just one step down! Cheers
Hi Alan thank you again for a really interesting video. I was out and about at Castle Drogo this morning, trying some first time filming on my phone! But, stunning views around Dartmoor, have you been there when you lived in Devon? Also Fingle Bridge. I look forward to viewing more of your videos.
Hi Sandra, many thanks for your kind remark. Yes I know Castle Drogo very well and Fingle Bridge, a very busy spot, popular with families and with a good pub.
@@MyNarrowboatVenture It was very busy today, lots of people out walking down towards Fingle Bridge from the top of Castle Drogo. I am returning tomorrow to try and do the walk myself to Fingle Bridge and the pub at the bottom before you cross over the bridge. I had the wrong footwear on this morning, walking boots on for the muddy walk tomorrow. I look forward to watching your videos. They really are very interesting.
Great vid Alan, just wondering, what do they do with the old lock gates?
Many thanks Steve. They do get re-used in all manner of ways. They can be cut down to make small gates or footbridges over small streams, some years back many were used at Glastonbury Festival, I don't believe they are wasted. Cheers.
Bye for now. See you next time for another interesting blog.
There seems to be loads of rubble and rubbish in the ponds/pounds, do you know if it is all removed before they are filled with water?
I really don't know the answer to that but would like to think that anything that could be troublesome would be removed. Cheers.
Foxton locks how interesting quite a complex system
Are you looking forward to navigating through the refurbished lock gates?
Well done CRT volunteer to stop what could have been quite a nasty accident
To be honest, with a lock flight of this nature, when you're on the boat, I don't think you'd notice any difference. If a standard lock is leaking through the bottom gates, then you would notice a difference if they were renewed. Yep I was lucky there.
Hi, would be right...in assuming - your boat is a Springer ?
Hi James, my boat was built by Black Country Narrowboats in 2005.
Why dont they use ENGINEERING BRICKS in stead of porus bricks ???
Probably the cost I should think.
its like watching paint dry or the grass grow
Foxton locks appear in this 1955 "Cyclist special, British Transport Film", it shows the locks when they were derelict. ua-cam.com/video/QPkT0paGEnQ/v-deo.html
Thanks for this link Albert, I really enjoyed watching this film. British Transport Films covered some very interesting topics.
If you cant tie your shoe laces up, wear sneakers with Velcro straps. The person in front of you will be most pleased
Hi Terry, my laces were double tied, it's just that they're very long, so I tuck them in the top of my walking boots. One came out and I trod on it causing me to lose my balance. I don't often wear them fortunately.
nice guy but can you stop smiling so much