Why Volunteers Are Cleaning the UK’s Deepest Canal Lock in West Yorkshire

Ever wondered what happens when a huge canal lock needs a clean? Well, in West Yorkshire, a group of dedicated volunteers have been getting their hands dirty—literally—to tidy up Tuel Lane Lock, the deepest single canal lock in the UK.

Image source: https://www.northern-scot.co.uk/news/national/article/canal-volunteers-clean-uk-s-deepest-lock-in-west-yorkshire-128549/

Giving the UK’s Deepest Lock a Spring Clean

With warmer weather just around the corner, boat traffic on the Rochdale Canal is about to pick up. But before that happens, the Canal & River Trust is making sure everything is in top shape. Volunteers have been working hard to remove litter, debris, and anything else that shouldn’t be in the water.

Tuel Lane Lock, located in Sowerby Bridge, is no ordinary lock. It lifts and lowers boats by nearly 20 feet (6 metres)—which is twice the height of a standard canal lock! Because of its size and proximity to a tunnel, boaters can’t operate it themselves. Instead, trained lock keepers are always on hand to assist.

Why Is Tuel Lane Lock So Deep?

Most canal locks don’t drop boats down quite this far. So why is Tuel Lane Lock different?

Back in 1996, this lock was built to replace two smaller locks. The reason? A road had been constructed right across the original canal level, so instead of making boats pass through two separate locks, engineers created one super-deep lock that allows vessels to tunnel underneath the road. It was a clever solution—but it also means this lock needs extra care and maintenance.

The People Behind the Clean-Up

One of the volunteers, Maureen Readle, explained why she got involved:

“I’ve enjoyed lots and lots of canal boating holidays with my husband, so we wanted to give back to the canals by volunteering when we retired.”

Maureen and her husband now help maintain a stretch of the canal, taking part in activities like litter picking, painting locks, and managing vegetation. She even recalled how, two years ago, she had never worn a pair of waders before—now she finds herself waist-deep in water, helping to keep Britain’s historic waterways in top condition.

Why Volunteers Matter

The Canal & River Trust has just launched its biggest ever volunteer campaign, calling on people to help look after Britain’s 250-year-old canal network. This includes everything from cleaning locks to helping boaters navigate the waterways.

According to Sean McGinley, regional director for Yorkshire & North East at the Canal & River Trust:

“Lock keepers, many of whom are volunteers, are the face of the canals and play a vital and iconic role within our charity.”

And while the role of a lock keeper has changed over the years, they’re still an important part of life on the canals—assisting boaters, offering advice to visitors, and maintaining historic locks.

A Cleaner Canal for Everyone

Thanks to volunteers like Maureen, Tuel Lane Lock is looking fresh for the busy boating season ahead. Whether it’s lifting boats up 20 feet or offering a peaceful spot for a walk, Britain’s canals wouldn’t be the same without the people who care for them.