Last updated 30 Oct 2020

Rebuilding the Waiting Wall (click on photographs to enlarge)

The waiting wall which lies between Bottom and Middle Lock at Pewsham had, it appears, been originally built with large stones with a clay infill behind to ensure it was water-tight.

Pewsham Waiting Wall 1

Over the years since the canal was abandoned the wall had badly weathered, collapsed in places and a number of large trees had taken root in the wall itself further destabilising it.

 

 

 

Pewsham Waiting Wall 4

 

 

 

Our first task was to make the site accessible and then to remove four trees that were on the line of the wall. Note that other trees will be planted elsewhere to replace these. Once this was done the remains of the original wall was removed.

 

Pewsham Waiting Wall 5

Once the site was totally clear work on the new wall began.

 

Pewsham Waiting Wall 7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pewsham Waiting Wall 8

 

 

This was to be constructed of concrete blocks below the water line, bricks above the water line and then topped with concrete coping.

 

Pewsham Waiting Wall 9

 

 

 

 

 

Pewsham Waiting Wall 10

 

 

 

Pewsham Waiting Wall 14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After several months and a lot of hard work by our volunteers the main part of the waiting wall is complete.

Pewsham Waiting Wall 15

 

 

 

Pewsham Waiting Wall 16

 

 

 

 

 

Pewsham Waiting Wall 18

 

 

 

 

It connects to the wing wall of Bottom Lock, which had earlier been rebuilt and will, in time, connect to the wing wall of Middle Lock when that is rebuilt.

 

 

In addition it was advised by the Trust engineer that a Spill Weir  should be incorporated into the waiting wall to ensure that any excess water would not over-top the lock gates but would instead go through the spill weir and drain past Bottom Lock and back into the canal.

 Back to MCC Projects Main Page

Back to MCC Home Page