Bingley Three Rise Locks facts for kids
The Bingley Three Rise Locks are a special set of three locks on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. You can find them in Bingley, West Yorkshire, England. These locks are like a giant staircase for boats! They are also a very important old building, called a Grade II* listed building.
A person named John Longbotham designed these locks. They first opened way back in 1774. Even today, these stone locks are still working hard. They got a big update in 2015 with brand new gates.
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History of the Canal and Locks
Building the Leeds and Liverpool Canal
The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is a long waterway in Northern England. It connects the big cities of Leeds and Liverpool. This canal is about 204 kilometers (127 miles) long. It even crosses the Pennines mountains!
The canal has 91 locks along its main path. A famous engineer named James Brindley helped plan it. The idea to build the canal was approved by the government in 1768.
Opening the Bingley Locks
The Bingley Three Rise Locks opened in 1774. This was a huge engineering success for its time. The even bigger Five Rise Locks opened at the same time. They are just a bit further up the canal.
John Longbotham designed both sets of locks. The Three Rise Locks are a "staircase flight." This means the bottom gate of one lock is also the top gate of the next lock.
Special Status and Design
In 1985, the locks were given a special status. They became a Grade II* listed building. This means they are very important and protected. The locks are built with strong stone walls. There are steps to help people open and close the gates.
An extra channel helps water flow between the locks. This channel makes sure the water levels are correct.
Modern Updates for Old Locks
The gates of the locks were first fixed up in 2007. Then, in December 2015, all the gates were replaced. New gates made from strong English Oak were crafted in Wakefield. Each gate weighed about 4.5 tonnes!
These new gates were carefully put into place. This big update was part of a £3.5 million project. It helps keep the historic locks working well for boats today.
