WORK has been taking place to install new lock gates at Dowley Gap Lock, at Bingley, giving a glimpse into what goes into the construction of the historic waterway.
Dowley Gap is the name given to the double lock within the Bingley Five Rise and is nearly 250 years old.
It was built in 1773 and is a Grade II* listed structure which is quite rare.
The lock was drained to allow the workforce to remove the old gates with a winch and put the new ones in situ.
The Canal & River Trust invited people along for an open day today to see how lock gates are replaced and take part in some family-friendly activities.
The construction team from the waterways and wellbeing charity created a special viewing platform so visitors could get a better look at the work. Activities included a stone masonry taster, a guided walk along the towpath and a chance to explore the wider canal network through Virtual Reality headsets.
Russell Clark, site supervisor for Canal & River Trust, said: “The new gates will be made of strong English green oak, and each weigh about 1.9 tonnes.”
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