Drungewick Lock

West Wall Remediation - Schedule of Works

Drungewick Lock is located approximately two kilometres east of Loxwood at OS TQ 065 307 but is presently closed to the public for safety reasons. The lock is approximately 4.3 metres deep and the west wall of the lock is experiencing structural distress which is evidenced by movement of the top of the wall inwards and structural cracks at each end of the lock. The wall is formed from sandstone blocks stabilised by five counterforts at the rear. Indications during 2016/2017 that the wall was failing, evidenced by two large vertical cracks and it was decided to cease using the lock as part of the commercial boat trips from Loxwood Canal Centre.

It is proposed that the wall is stabilised using specialist ground anchor system (Platipus Anchors) fixed through a new reinforced concrete capping beam at the top of the wall and through the wall at two intermediate levels, In addition, a series of vertical steel dowels will be inserted into the wall and the two major cracks “stitched” using specialist (Cintec) anchors.

This Schedule of Works relates to specialist sub-contract works that form a major element of the overall stabilisation and remedial works to the west wall of the lock. Other works associated with the remediation will be carried out directly by the EWG working group using their own equipment and volunteer labour.
The proposed specialist works comprise in summary:

• Supply and Installation of 24 Type B4 Platipus Anchors through the existing wall at two levels.
• Supply and Installation of 13 Type B8 Platipus Anchors through a new reinforced concrete capping beam constructed by EWG.
• Supply and Installation of 16 24mm diameter stainless steel dowels set in predrilled vertical holes in the existing lock wall to reach the foundations of the lock.
• The supply and installation of (Cintec) stitch anchors to the two vertical cracks in the wall.

The working area at the lock comprises the lock itself and an area 5.5 metres to the west of the face of the lock wall. However, there is a residential and outbuilding which lies 3.8 metres from the lock, which creates a number of complications, but which the Landowner and the Trust have catered for.

In order to stabilise the wall during the construction operations temporary timber props have been installed by the EWG . In addition scaffolding will be erected adjacent to the west wall to give safe access for the construction of the reinforced concrete capping beam. On completion of the anchor installation the EWG team will survey the condition of the surface mortar pointing to the faces of both walls. Where necessary this will be cut out and replaced with special lime based “marine specification” mortar.

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