Lock opens to connect Olympic Park with UK network of inland waterways
29 July 2010
British Waterways has reopened a derelict lock on Waterworks River in East London for the first time in over 40 years following a restoration project costing £400,000.
A flotilla of boats from the St Pancras Cruising Club and the Three Mills Mooring Association will be the first public boats through the lock on Saturday 31 July.
City Mill Lock now links Waterworks River, which is one of a network of waterways that connect the Olympic Park with the River Lee Navigation, and from there the rest of the UK’s inland waterway network of canals and rivers.
The reopening of this lock is the next phase in the regeneration of the canals and rivers of East London.
British Waterways’ head of regeneration, Richard Rutter, said:
“It’s fantastic to see the lock reopened after such a long time.
“The first phase of the restoration involved the fitting of new metal gates, and then, when more funding was secured we were able to finish off the project. Installing mechanised electric rams, sluices, lock landings, controls and lock ladders.
“This second stage took approximately six months, and now we will be focussing our attention on Carpenters Road Lock within the Olympic Park.”
The 5 ½ km loop of waterways in and around the Park have been upgraded, benefiting from works including the restoration of City Mill Lock; the construction of Three Mills Lock and Water Control Structure; extensive waterway wall repairs and dredging. These waterways are set to become a popular destination for the UK’s leisure and holiday boaters, as well as for general visitors using the traffic-free towpaths to explore the area by foot and by bike.
Richard Benyon MP, Waterways Minister, said: “The reopening of City Mill Lock means that for the first time in over 40 years there is access to 5 ½ km of regenerated waterway that’s at the heart of the Olympic development.
“The reopening of the lock is great news for the UK’s inland waterways, connecting the 4,000-mile network with a vibrant new area of East London that has water as a central feature.”
Richard Rutter, explained: “Whilst the Olympic Games are a massive focus for everyone living and working in London, here at British Waterways we believe that even more benefits will come after 2012, during the Legacy phase.
“At the moment boaters are restricted in how far they can go as there’s no public access to the Park. After the Games we anticipate the waterways will be opened up as quickly as practicable.
“These regenerated waterways will attract leisure boaters who help to create a colourful waterway scene. Waterways often form the heart of regeneration schemes, just look at the centre of Birmingham where the canals have helped to create a sense of place. We envisage this will happen in the Olympic Park, with moorings for visiting boats, floating restaurants and cafes, water taxis and activities such as canoeing on the water.”
Roger Squires, Inland Waterways Association and St Pancras Cruising Club said: “It’s a real honour to be able to bring the flotilla through City Mill Lock. It’s a great sign for the future of East London’s waterways, and I’m sure that the investment to improve the waterways will mean that post-Games many more people will follow our lead and enjoy these restored industrial canals and rivers.”
ENDS
For more press information contact:
Gill Owen, British Waterways. gill.owen@britishwaterways.co.uk t 0207 985 7227 m 07733124580
Notes to editors
What are the Bow Back Rivers?
The Bow Back Rivers are a 5½-km network of industrial tributaries of the River Lea which criss-cross the Olympic Park. They have been shaped by man over many hundreds of years for industry, transport and flood relief.
How does this reopening of City Mill Lock link with proposals for a 'Water City'?
This is an important component of the ' Water City ' - a scheme backed by British Waterways, Leaside Regeneration and the Bromley-by-Bow Centre and making up part of London Thames Gateway Development Corporation's Lower Lea Valley Regeneration Strategy. The 'Water City' seeks a mix of sustainable development and parkland in the area, set around a network of revived waterways rich with wildlife, footpaths, cycleways and boating activity.
Click here for more information about the history of the waterways in this area.
British Waterways cares for Britain’s 200-year old network of historic canals, rivers and docks, which attract over 13 million people each year for walking, cycling, angling, boating or simply the peace and quiet. We wish to establish a ‘national trust’ for the waterways in order to secure the network for future generations and to give local people a greater say in how they are run. www.britishwaterways.co.uk
City Mill Lock is available for limited use only due to its proximity to the Olympic Park. The lock will be mainly used to support the Olympic Park security team, and will be available to local boats to access their moorings. Anyone wishing to use the lock must request and book their passage through British Waterways.