Heritage restoration deal for West Yorkshire specialist
WATERWAYS restoration experts Hargreaves Lock Gates has won a contract to craft new lock gates for a Grade ll listed lock on Cambridge’s River Cam.
The Jesus Green lock lies in a conservation area and forms a major gateway to the river’s “middle” section.
Known as the College Backs, the section is world renowned as a ‘punting paradise’ and is synonymous with Cambridge University, which marks its 800th anniversary this year.
The Hebden Bridge-hased firm has been commissioned to replace all four of Jesus Green lock’s leaky wooden gates with exact replicas hewn from green European oak.
The existing oak gates, which also feature cast-iron balance beams, were built in 1981 but have weathered before their time and the lock now has serious leaks.
The team from Hargreaves have been working alongside Cam Conservancy staff to drain down the lock before removing the gates using a tracked-crane, to protect surrounding parkland.
The gates are being transferred to Hargreaves’ workshops in Halifax where they will be measured meticulously and reproduced and the ironwork repaired. Work is expected to take around five weeks to complete.
Cam Conservators river manager Philippa Noon said: “Conservators agreed to allocate money for this project in 2008 as part of their five-year business plan.
“Hargreaves was chosen because it had the right vibe, were highly competitive and most willing to listen to our specific site requirements. The firm also came with a personal recommendation.”
In addition to lock gates and tidal doors, Hargreaves Lock Gates manufactures and installs a range of wood and wood-steel composite foot and bridle bridges, using sustainable timber sourced from FSC, PFC or Keurhout-accredited suppliers.
