Lock gate refurbishment programme

C W Engineering has been appointed main contractor by the Environment Agency Waterways to refurbish its lock gates in the Central Anglia region. In doing so, they will not only replace worn out components, but also establish a standard guillotine mechanical lock gate specification aiding future servicing and maintenance needs.

Each project starts with a full survey of the lock gates. CAD drawings are produced showing work required which will act as future records. These are submitted with costings to the EA.

C W Engineering will be working to CDM regulations which involves overseeing civil engineering works. For example, a current project at Brampton requires the laying of a new electricity supply cable through a copse. CW Engineering has appointed May Gurney as their civil contractor to do the trench work and ducting, Graeme Cooper Electrical has been appointed to carry out all the electrical installations. This is being installed with due regard for the tree roots and fauna.

C W have been completing 4 lock gates a year on average.  Besides peace of mind for local communities, the standardised equipment will simplify stock holding and rationalise future servicing.

To start with, gate chain pitches are standardised to 1 ½” throughout the refurbished guillotine lock gates. This in turn usually necessitates new sprockets, actuators and often replacement of aging gearboxes with a standard Reynold unit as some of the current gearboxes are decades old making replacement parts difficult to source.

C W Engineering provides new interfaces to accommodate the replacement of the two 40mm vertical and the modular 70mm horizontal shafts, including new split bearings for smooth operation. Modular shaft fittings include new plate wheels and welded hub sprockets to accommodate the 1 ½ “chain pitch.  In some instances CW have manufactured segmented steel guillotine gate counterbalance weights to replace aging concrete weights.

“The skills for this refurbishment work are scarce but have been established over many years at C W Engineering” explains project manager Dickie Dye. “Consequently we are much in demand today. Besides complete refurbishments, we have completed specific lock repairs such as replacing worn seals and joints, replacing lead screws worn by tidal action and even brass fittings stolen for their resale value.  We are pleased to support our existing customers with their ongoing engineering requirements and welcome the opportunity to become involved with new customers”