Staircase locks at Foxton, Leicestershire :: Shared Description
At the northern end of the summit level of the Grand Union Canal (Leicester Section), Foxton Locks is a flight of canal locks consisting of two "staircases" each of five lock chambers, separated by a short connecting pound. The ten locks are numbered 8 to 17 from the top. The flight alters the water level by 75 feet (almost 23 metres).
Water management is by way of large sideponds, so the correct sequence of paddles must be used when negotiating the flight. The locks are usually supervised by an experienced lock keeper, often assisted by recently recruited "Canal and Rivers Trust" volunteers. The locks have strictly applied passageway times, and are secured outside these hours. See Link
Staircase locks are used where a canal needs to climb a steep hill, so two or more locks open directly into the next. The bottom gates of one lock form the top gates of the next. This is the largest flight of such staircase locks on the English canal system. Construction started in 1810, and they were completed by 1812. Restoration took place in 1909, shortly before the unsuccessful nearby Foxton inclined plane was taken out of regular service.
Water management is by way of large sideponds, so the correct sequence of paddles must be used when negotiating the flight. The locks are usually supervised by an experienced lock keeper, often assisted by recently recruited "Canal and Rivers Trust" volunteers. The locks have strictly applied passageway times, and are secured outside these hours. See Link
Staircase locks are used where a canal needs to climb a steep hill, so two or more locks open directly into the next. The bottom gates of one lock form the top gates of the next. This is the largest flight of such staircase locks on the English canal system. Construction started in 1810, and they were completed by 1812. Restoration took place in 1909, shortly before the unsuccessful nearby Foxton inclined plane was taken out of regular service.
by Roger D Kidd
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Created: Fri, 6 Sep 2013, Updated: Sun, 2 Sep 2018
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