Welcome to Bratch Locks!
History
Bratch locks were built in 1769 by James Brindley to enable boats to ascend or descend the 33-foot hillside. Originally, they were built as three locks in a staircase formation. A staircase is where the bottom gates of the top lock are also the top gates of the next lock and so on.
The disadvantage of the staircase formation is that it wastes quite a lot of water as boats travel through the locks. To rectify this, Bratch locks were re-engineered as a flight of locks towards the end of the 18th century. Side ponds were incorporated into the design to store water when the locks are being used. Water flows to and from the side ponds through a series of underground culverts. The plan below shows the locations of the culverts. As you wander around the locks see if you can spot signs of water flowing to and from the culverts. Be careful when crossing the road.
In 1800 a toll house was built next to the top lock. Note the position of the windows so that the toll collector could see boats arriving from both directions. If you stand by the flag pole you may just see the impressive architecture of Bratch Pumping station, built in 1895. Originally there were two steam engines to pump the water. Each pump could raise one million gallons of water over a 20-hour period. Water is still pumped from the site today but with electric pumps, not steam. In 1996, one of the steam engines was restored to fully working order. Please note that the site is NOT open to the public.
As you explore the area around the locks look out for:
Rope grooves: Ropes and horses were used to pull narrowboats along the canal. Over many years, the ropes carved grooves into the brick and iron work.
Brick manufacturer: Brick manufactures stamped their company name into the bricks they made.
Please remember the following water safety:
Potential Dangers:
- Low Temperatures – suddenly falling into cold water can cause the body to go into shock.
- Reeds and Plant Life – these can get tangled around limbs.
- Hidden dangers under the water that might trap your feet or cause injury.
- Depth perception – it might be much shallower or deeper than you think.
- Canals are untreated water and may contain pollution, chemical contaminants or waterborne diseases.
How to stay safe on the canal:
- Plan your route – think about where you want to go and how long you want to be out for.
- Take a friend – it is safer to walk with others.
- Slow down – the colder it gets, the greater the likelihood of icy and slippery surfaces underfoot. It’s easier to stay safe, spot potential hazards and avoid accidents near water when you reduce your speed.
- Tell someone where you are going – in case you are out for much longer than you say, you can be found more easily.
- Stay away from the edge - although you may be able to see the edge of the towpath even in the snow, it may be slippery.
- Check the weather – look at the forecast and see what's coming your way.
- Wear the right clothing – waterproofs, sturdy footwear, warm layers can all help your body cope with the wintry conditions.
- Take your phone (or even a whistle) – if you get into trouble, or see somebody else in trouble, you can call or whistle for help.
- Teach children not to go on the ice – it's important for children not to go on the ice under any circumstances.
- Try to keep to well-lit areas - time your walks to make the most of the daylight; if you need to walk in the evening only use well-lit areas or take a route away from water.
- Keep dogs on their leads – keep dogs on their leads when near ice and don't throw sticks or toys onto the ice.
References
- https://industrialtour.co.uk/bratch-locks/