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Gennets Bridge Lock
The original Gennets Bridge Lock (GBL) was probably built in 1815 or 1816. It was lock no. 8 counting from Newbridge (between Billingshurst and Wisborough Green) where the ‘new’ canal joined the Arun Navigation to the Wey Navigation, hence the Wey & Arun Junction Canal.
When the Wey & Arun Canal Trust arrived at Gennets Bridge, the lock site could only be seen as a slight change in the ground level and, at wetter times of year, as a pond alongside the Sussex Border Path. Chichester District Council had granted planning permission for GBL in October 2011, but it wasn’t until July 2015 that contractors started driving piles on site.
Once the contractors had built the basic structure, it was over to the volunteers to turn the hole in the ground into a canal lock. This phase took just over two years and Gennets Bridge Lock was officially opened on 21st April 2018.
The elegant arched bridge at the lower end of the lock is entirely the work of volunteers, while the lock is faced with locally made bricks so that its appearance is similar to the original.
The Trust spent about £375,000 on the Gennets Bridge project, including the lock, bridge, the approach road and the new Oakhurst winding hole. Some of the funds came from a legacy from Mrs Peggy Gledhill MBE, while the remainder was achieved through fundraising and members’ donations.
Horse rider at Gennets
Credits: Julian Nowell - 21 March 2018 |
The seat is made of recovered original timbers from the lock, commissioned by the landowner Nigel Gibbons.
Credits: Dennis Gillen - 8 March 2018 |
Plenty of water above the new Gennets Bridge Lock
Credits: Dennis Gillen - 8 March 2018 |
Canal full of water and towpath to the north of Gennets Bridge Lock.
Credits: Dennis Gillen - 8 March 2018 |
The seat is made of recovered original timbers from the lock, commissioned by the landowner Nigel Gibbons.
Credits: Dennis Gillen - 8 March 2018 |
Gennets Bridge Lock group photo
Credits: Geoff Thomas - 20 October 2017 |
Gennets Bridge Lock group photo
Credits: Geoff Thomas - 20 October 2017 |
Geoff Thomas places the last brick in the lock walls.
Credits: Len Hasler - 7 September 2017 |
Checking the level of coping bricks
Credits: Geoff Thomas - 24 August 2017 |
Applying the finishing touches to the coping stone on the pier at the end on the parapet wall.
Credits: Geoff Thomas - 14 June 2017 |
Filling the cavity of the southern parapet wall. The reinforcing mesh is fitted in the centre of the cavity which will give the parapet considerable strength.
Credits: Geoff Thomas - 8 June 2017 |
Coping stones being cemented in place on the north parapet of the bridge below the lock.
Credits: Geoff Thomas - 7 June 2017 |
Bricklaying underway at Gennets Bridge Lock
Credits: Julian Morgan - 9 April 2017 |
Forming the coping 'stones' on the nearside lock chamber wall. Note the bollard embedded in the concrete.
Credits: Richard Emsley - 6 April 2017 |
Adding more brick courses to the south parapet wall of Gennets accommodation bridge.
Credits: Richard Emsley - 6 April 2017 |
Spreading the concrete to form the copings on the offside lock chamber wall.
Credits: Geoff Thomas - 30 March 2017 |
Brickwork on nearside chamber wall is within three courses of the coping level. The lower gate recess is on the left and one of the ladder recesses is on the extreme right of the picture.
Credits: Geoff Thomas - 23 March 2017 |
Building one of the piers at the end of the parapet wall.
Credits: Geoff Thomas - 23 March 2017 |
The concrete casting for the upper offside cill is now complete, with the paddle culvert to the right and the back pumping culvert to the left. The bare concrete will be clad in bricks in the same way as the main chamber walls.
Credits: Geoff Thomas - 16 March 2017 |
Laying an inner course the bridge parapet wall. Steel reinforcing netting is sandwiched between the two brick walls and the cavity filled with concrete. This results in a very strong wall which can withstand vehicles.
Credits: Geoff Thomas - 10 March 2017 |
Laying an outer course of the bridge parapet wall.
Credits: Geoff Thomas - 2 March 2017 |
Casting the offside copings at the top of the lower gate recess.
Credits: Geoff Thomas - 16 February 2017 |