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Project information

Southlands Lock Reconstruction

The rebuilding of Southlands Lock by the Wey & Arun Canal Trust (WACT) volunteers will enable a further half a mile to be opened for the public trip boats. It will also extend the linear park, the restored canal forms. WACT is an independent charity.

July 2011 - April 2013

Charity information: The Wey & Arun Canal Trust

The Wey & Arun Canal Trust logo
  • Need

    Need

    The canal became derelict in 1871. Southlands Lock was removed at the beginning of the 20th century. WACT is restoring the canal piece by piece to connect the national inland waterway system to the south coast.

    Solution

    With landowner permission, planning consent was obtained from the Local Authority. Natural England gave a Licence and the Environment Agency gave permission for the work to proceed. A second landowner gave permission to enable access and a water supply. A 300m underground cable was installed for electricity. Permission to use private roads was obtained. Design drawings were done. A contractor was retained to build the lock base and walls.
    The volunteers are now to finish the construction.

  • Aims

    Aim 1

    Volunteers completing the construction of the lock


    Activities

    » Pouring concrete for the walls not done by the contractor. Laying bricks to all the walls.
    » Once the bricks are on the walls they are to be topped with concrete copings.
    » At both ends of the lock walls are to be built for use by boat crews

    What success will look like

    Success will be when the all the lock copings are in place

    Aim 2

    Fit capital equipment into lock


    Activities

    » Fit back-pump
    » Fit Lock Gates

    What success will look like

    Success will be when the back pump and gates are successfully installed

    Aim 3

    Fit lock furniture, bollards, ladders, notice boards, seats etc


    Activities

    » Success will be when all the landscaping is complete.

    What success will look like

    Success will be when all the landscaping is complete.

  • Impact

    Impact

    Success will be regular trip boats going through the lock.
    The project will enable more people to enjoy rural West Sussex. The last boat was in 1868 now, tourists, including the disabled and infirm will be able to enjoy what has been previously unavailable to all but the fittest. The water environment produced will enhance all the wildlife in the area, hence the linear park. For the walkers on the towpath there will be an improved ambiance.

    Risk

    The number of volunteers may drop to zero. The numbers of highly skilled and retired professional volunteers being the highest in the last twenty years and continues to grow is very encouraging. The final fallback position is to have paid workers.
    The landowners may withdraw support. The lease position reduces the risk.

    Reporting

    Donors to this project will receive a monthly email report on the project detailing the ongoing and forthcoming activities, and any necessary changes that have been made to the project plans.

  • Budget

    Budget - Project Cost: £308,906

    Loading graph....
      Amount Heading Description
      £34,089 Preparations Design, Consents and Ground Work
      £181,000 Contractor Form Base & Walls
      £29,817 Materials Volunteers Requirements
      £47,192 Capital Equipment Lock Gates & Back Pump
      £16,808 Completion Costs Lock Furniture and contingency

    Current Funding / Pledges

    Source Amount
    WACT £287,122 Guaranteed
  • Background

    Location

    The project is located on a derelict part of The Wey & Arun canal. This rural canal near Ifold village (502969,131769) in West Sussex is a mile away from the nearest road. Access is along the towpath from The Onslow Arms Loxwood (504130,131152).

    Beneficiaries

    Everyone will enjoy the country alongside this waterway. The children will learn about their environment, history and ecology, plus Santa cruises for the youngest. The public or organised boat trips will enjoy a peaceful countryside cruise.

    For all the volunteers in the construction team or trip boats crews, many of whom are retired, it gives them an interest outside the home and social interaction with like-minded people doing something they enjoy in the fresh air, for the community.

  • Why Us?

    Why Us?

    Everyone will enjoy the country alongside this waterway. The children will learn about their environment, history and ecology, plus Santa cruises for the youngest. The public or organised boat trips will enjoy a peaceful countryside cruise.

    For all the volunteers in the construction team or trip boats crews, many of whom are retired, it gives them an interest outside the home and social interaction with like-minded people doing something they enjoy in the fresh air, for the community.

    Read more about the Charity running this project.

    People

    Eric Walker MBE (Unpaid Volunteer)

    Eric is the Project Manager. Since 1999 has been the project manager for seven large and successful WACT civil engineering projects.

    Mike Biles (Unpaid Volunteer)

    Clerk of Works. Mike was a civil engineering project engineer before retiring. He has worked for 10 years on WACT civil engineering projects.

    Cdr. Jim Phillips OBE (Unpaid Volunteer)

    As WACT Hon Treasurer has steered the Trusts finances since 1995 and is responsible for WACT fundraising.