Lock operation #1 : approaching a lock

Tuel Lane Lock (above), in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, is the deepest canal lock in the British Isles. Coming straight after (or before) the Tuel Lane Tunnel, it is not possible to put anyone ashore to operate the gates or pick them up, so it is the only lock on the canal which is operated by a lock-keeper. At the time of writing (June 2003) the lock is open for passage on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and at weekends, from 9 a.m, with the last passage up at 4 p.m. and the last passage down at 4.30 p.m. Telephone 01422 316678 for more information.
  1. As soon as the lock gates are sighted, ease back the throttle and slow down.
  2. Pull in to the lock moorings, stop and put your lock crew ashore. Warn them to keep the windlass handles and lock keys safe at all costs - you cannot proceed without them!
  3. Tie the boat up or have two people hold the ropes if your wait is not likely to be long.
  4. If the lock is operated by a lock-keeper, send someone ahead to ask permission to enter the lock.
  5. If not, check to see if anyone else is waiting to use the lock from the other direction : if the lock is full, the boat on the higher section of the canal should use the lock first, if it is empty, the lower boat should enter first - this will save water, time and energy.
  6. If you are the only boat waiting to use the lock, check the water level in the lock. If you are travelling up the canal, the lock will need to be empty before you can enter it, and if you are travelling down the canal it will need to be full. If the water is at the correct level for you and no-one else is waiting, open the gates.
  7. To fill or empty the lock, you have to open the sluices in the lock gate or lock walls (whichever type, the method is the same.)
  8. Check that all lock gates are shut.
  9. Unlock the windlasses with the lock key (if locked - usually only the upstream ones.)
  10. Using the windlass handle open the sluices on the top gates to fill the lock or the bottom gates to empty it.
  11. The lock gates will not be able to be opened until the water level inside and outside is exactly equal - when the water level has equalised, open the gates for the boat to enter.
  12. Close the gates behind the boat, then lower the sluice paddles slowly - do NOT just let them drop, as this will cause damage.

Go to next page - Locks #2