PHOTOGRAPHS Canal: TRENT & MERSEY Grid Ref: E375612, N359227 Conditional Date: 24/03/2010 Functional Location: TM-038-015 Local Name: LOCK 65, WHEELOCK TOP - OFFSIDE Location: WHEELOCK Asset Type: 10 General Asset Details: Inventory Code TM-03774A Lower Chainage of Asset Location WHEELOCK Parish, District Name Grid Reference E375612, N359227 Centre of Asset Property Reference Cross Ref to PMS Name/Local Name Wheelock Top Lock - Offside Engineering, Local Name Business Unit 9100 BU Code Number Canal Code TM SAP Standard Canal Code Asset Type 10 Asset Type (1 – 25) Budget Centre CODA Budget Centre Owner BW BW if wholly or partly owned Heritage Reference 918/5/104 Details of Heritage Status Year of (Re) Construction Circa 1830’s If Known Interested Parties Any 3 rd Party Interest Impairment date Vul or imp Date (dd/mm/yy) Vul/Impairment Score 0% to 100% Condition Grade D A, B, C, D or E Condition Date 24/03/2010 Date of PI (dd/mm/yy) Remarks Remarks Serviceability Grade 3 1. Fit for Purpose, 2 Restricted Use, 3 Unfit for Purpose Consequence of Failure 3 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Backlog - 0 = Non Backlog, 1 = Backlog PI Required - 0 = No, 1 =Yes Size Field 1 - See AIP2001 Appendix 6 Size Field 2 - See AIP2001 Appendix 6 Size Field 3 - See AIP2001 Appendix 6 Certified Inspector: MARK HEATH_______________________________________________ Signature:______________________________ Date:______________________________ Waterway Principal Engineer: IAN PANKHURST__________________________________ Signature:______________________________ Date:______________________________ Regional Engineering /Other Chartered Engineer:_______________________________ Signature:______________________________ Date:______________________________ SAP updated by:____________________________________________________________ Signature:______________________________ Date:______________________________
General Asset Details: Inventory Code TM-03774A Lower Chainage of AssetLocation WHEELOCK Parish, District NameGrid Reference E375612, N359227 Centre of AssetProperty Reference Cross Ref to PMSName/Local Name Wheelock Top Lock -
Offside Engineering, Local Name
Business Unit 9100 BU Code NumberCanal Code TM SAP Standard Canal CodeAsset Type 10 Asset Type (1 – 25)Budget Centre CODA Budget CentreOwner BW BW if wholly or partly ownedHeritage Reference 918/5/104 Details of Heritage StatusYear of (Re) Construction Circa 1830’s If KnownInterested Parties Any 3rd Party InterestImpairment date Vul or imp Date (dd/mm/yy)Vul/Impairment Score 0% to 100%Condition Grade D A, B, C, D or ECondition Date 24/03/2010 Date of PI (dd/mm/yy) Remarks RemarksServiceability Grade 3 1. Fit for Purpose, 2 Restricted Use, 3 Unfit for
Purpose
Consequence of Failure 3 1, 2, 3, 4, 5Backlog - 0 = Non Backlog, 1 = BacklogPI Required - 0 = No, 1 =YesSize Field 1 - See AIP2001 Appendix 6Size Field 2 - See AIP2001 Appendix 6Size Field 3 - See AIP2001 Appendix 6
Certified Inspector: MARK HEATH_______________________________________________
Overall the lock is in a poor condition with serious structural concerns, particularly regarding the offside chamber wall. As such it is strongly advised that the immediate area be closed to the general public. It is also recommended that due to the condition of the bottom gates and downstream approach walls, that boat traffic is restricted from any approach to this area. This should be of a physical kind, as opposed to the current netlon and signage. INTRODUCTION: A Principal Inspection of the above structure was undertaken on 24th March 2010 by Mark Heath. At the time of the inspection the lock was in water, but closed to navigation due to safety issues regarding the chamber walls, with the lock closed full. It was therefore not possible to inspect the chamber, or forebay. The weather at the time of the inspection was dry, although it had been raining for the previous few days. The Intermediate Inspection Report of September 2005 was reviewed. GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Lock 65, Wheelock top lock, is a typical narrow canal lock with a single gate at the top end and mitre gates at the tail. It is one of a twin at this location as is common on the Cheshire flight of locks, this being the offside lock. It is of a brick construction with top gates. There are two ground paddles at the top, and two gate paddles to the bottom. The lock is the top lock of a pair near to the village of Wheelock, situated to the South of Sandbach. The lock is approximately 5.2m deep from coping level to invert, has a nominal width of 2.28m. Due to on-going safety concerns regarding the chamber walls, the lock has been closed for a number of years (the lock was closed during the last inspection of 2005), with the chamber kept full. For this reason the lock was not emptied, with the inspection limited to the surrounding items. INSPECTION REPORT Lock Chamber Due to the lock being closed and in water, this inspection is limited to the copings and immediate courses below. From the previous inspection, the lock chamber is constructed from brick masonry with dressed stone copings. At the time of the inspection, vegetation was extensive along the copings and immediate courses of brickwork, this due to the ongoing closure of the lock. However this should be removed in the short term to prevent any further deterioration occurring. Long term plans should also be developed to allow the re-opening of the lock, however this is likely to be a major works project and outside of the scope of the waterway. Gates Both the top end gate and bottom mitre gates are of a timber construction. Overall they are in a poor condition requiring an overhaul. Water loss is a significant issue at the bottom gates, with evidence of open jointing and possible rot setting in. This should be addressed in the short term to enable the lock to remain full for safety reasons, however it must be noted that by emptying the lock to replace the gates, could cause possible failure of the chamber wall. With the top gate being in water, the inspection is limited to the balance beam which is of a fair condition.
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Bywash The by-wash is located to the offside of the twin lock, and is of a good blue brick construction, indicating a past rebuild. The inlet is upstream of the offside lock, with the flow passing through a short culvert to a weir and down a spillway into a second large brick construction culvert leading down to below the offside lock. Due to limited access and water flows, it was not possible to inspect either of the culverts and as such a CCTV survey should be carried out. However no signs of obstruction were observed with the outlet flowing unimpeded. Concern is raised though with the wall nearest to the locks. This is showing signs of movement with a crack line running along the coping length. In addition there is also a large depression and void midway along the length of the open channel. It is therefore suspected that water is leaking into the spillway channel area from the adjacent offside lock. This apparently confirmed by the presence of a depression and wet ground from the offside bottom lock gates to the bywash wall. Lock Sides The towpath lock side, on the island is in a fair condition with no obvious tripping hazards found, with the copings generally sound. However the offside lock area is in a poor condition with a deep trench present along the lower half of the lock, leading to the bywash. This is of a significant depth (approximately 300mm), and sodden underfoot, indicating possible voiding and erosion due to water seepage from the lock chamber. It is thought that this is related to the closure of the lock and wall stability. It is therefore highly recommended that urgent works are carried out to this area to fill the voiding, and at a minimum fence the area off to the general public. Downstream approach walls These are of a brick masonry construction with evidence of substantial water seepage and possible movement, particularly to the offside wall, assumed to be related to the water issues and voiding present to the lock side. Lock-tail Bridge As in traditional on the Trent & Mersey canal, the tail lock bridge is of a cantilevered cast iron design with a central slot allowing a towing rope through. Twin handrails are fitted to both sides. Both sections of the cantilever are in a good condition with no cause for concern. Non-slip has been fitted to each of the timber spanning treads making up the deck. DISCUSSION Overall the lock is in a poor condition with serious structural concerns, and should be closed to the general public. There is strong uncertainty regarding the offside chamber wall, highlighted by the deep depressions and voiding present. Works should therefore be carried out in the short term to make the area safe, and to determine a future way forward to repairing and re-opening the lock. It is also recommended that due to the condition of the bottom gates and downstream approach walls, that boat traffic is restricted from any approach to this area. This should be of a physical kind, as opposed to the current netlon and signage. Due to the nature and condition of the lock, a full detailed structural inspection should be carried out, with due concern taken regarding the chamber stability. It is therefore recommended that this is carried out by a specialist company with the correct experience. GRADES: Condition Grade E Serviceability 3 Unfit for purpose. Consequence of failure 3
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Works Recommendations: The following works should be undertaken:-
Recommendation Cost Estimate Priority Erecting fence around the lock chamber to prevent un-authorised access 2k 1 Fit physical barrier across top and bottom approaches to prevent accidental entry / use 5k 1 Carry out full detailed structural survey 10k 1 New bottom gates - 1 Carry out CCTV inspection of inlet and outlet culverts 0.2k 2
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Plate 1 View of lock chamber
Plate 2 View along lock sides
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Plate 3 Bottom gates, note leakage
Plate 4 Downstream towpath side approach wall
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Plate 5 Downstream offside approach wall, note seepage and movement
