The purchase of Llanthony Lock
The connection to 2,500 miles of navigable waterways is one the most fundamental points in the Canal’s restoration. In 2008 an answer was found to that question by the purchase of Llanthony Lock which gave us our entry to the national network, and even part of the River Severn itself......

 

Although the Canal Trust already owned the point of entry to the River Severn at Over, it only connected us to the currently un-navigable Severn below Llanthony and Maisemore weirs. Until the 1980’s British Waterways owned both Llanthony and Maisemore locks, but before full restoration of the Canal was on the agenda, Maisemore was sold. Early in 2007 a similar fate was about to happen to Llanthony and so complex negotiations commenced to secure this crucial site for the Canal Trust.

 

A national review by British Waterways led to their decision early in 2007 to dispose of Llanthony as a non-operational asset. This consisted of a pair of cottages, the lock, and surrounding land. Acquiring the whole site ensures the Trust has the land needed for modern day requirements for safe operation and entry to the lock, as well as an income stream to make this key operational asset self financing in the long term.

 

Around this time the Trust received the very welcome news of a legacy, so what might have been an investment with borrowed money, funded by the income from the cottages, became a sound investment for the Trust, whilst securing this crucial operational asset.

Paul Henshaw and the Llanthony Lock Team will make any new volunteers very welcome. 
To contact Paul please see our Contact Us page