Abingdon Lock chamber is being renovated.
John sent me a picture of some heavy bags of gravel being lowered into the chamber at the far end.
Barriers are there to stop more water getting in. Floods may have hampered progress but work is underway again.
The lock chamber floor is now covered with bags of gravel. (More pictures soon of the renovation.)
A prize to the first person who knows the reason for this gravel bag hatchery? I know because I asked one of the contractors – and it’s weird reason!
Is it because it’s a cost-effective, mainly maintenance free alternative to turfing the bottom of the lock?
If I were cynical of this modern era, I might think the gravel is there to spread across the floor so the contractors can keep their feet dry and not be at risk of Trench Foot while renovating the walls (elfansfatee, see?). Once the contract ends, the lock will have to be dredged again.
The Factories Act requires them to wear steel-capped footwear and steel-toed wellies are not available !
I await the real reason with interest.
Don’t know about the gravel – it was the second picture which intrigued me: is there a 3-armed giant holding the sheeting on? Or is it 3 small Chads (sorry to those too young to understand that reference!)
Well – I am reliably informed that, because the lock technically is situated on an island, this gravel ballast is there to stop the bottom of the lock “popping up” when it’s drained – and this is a quote from the contractor! He didn’t believe it either!!
Presumably, the EA’s engineer stipulated this. Just because the contractor did not understand it does not mean it is not right!
Am not saying it is not right but if the contractor, with his many years experience of similar projects, doubts the necessity for this, II think he probably has a point.
Alastair did you remember to ask them if they’d found my 50p?
“Caution strong stream” on a lock gate must be a candidate to be added to the list of superfluous public notices ?
It might be true if the gates were missing !
asking about the 50p is one of many things I said I might do and forgot to do this week. Good job I’m no longer a local politician.
Backstreeter, I think you’re doing more that’s positive for the Town than the politicians. A shame if you didn’t run for the council again, though.
Dear all I think the sand bags on th floor of the lock are there to maintain pressure on the concrete floor to stop the floor lifting with the pressure of water from under the lock