When visiting the Oxenhall Lock cache to replace the container, I decided to carry on walking along the old canal to see where it took me. I ended up in this spot and decided it needs a cache here too.
The restoration of the aqueduct
Following completion of the restoration work on House Lock during the summer in 2003, the Trust’s Oxenhall team was able to turn their attention to restoration of the Ell Brook Aqueduct. Following removal of the vegetation a full structural inspection was undertaken, and the Trust were able to erect a Bailey Bridge across the top of the aqueduct to enable vehicles to cross the stream without overloading the weakened structure. It was in a pretty poor state of repair (see the photo) and it took years to restore. In 2014 a concrete membrane was laid over the top of the restored aqueduct and the temporary Bailey Bridge was removed and put to one side where it still remains.
The space revealed under the Bailey Bridge contained several tons of soil which had to be removed before work the aqueduct underneath could be accessed to complete the repairs. This was removed with an excavator and then13.5 cubic metres of concrete weighing about 20 tons were poured in to to give a substantial protective membrane over the old aqueduct arch.
When I first hid this cache, there was a really good information sign on the bridge, but on my latest visit to replace the container yet again (August 2022), I was dismayed to see the sign has been ripped away. I did discover another sign on the fence a short walk away. I have waypointed this sign in case you are interested in the history.