A SECTION of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal has been drained as part of refurbishment work on the locks.

The work on the section in Barrowford is due to be completed later this month and is being carried out by the Canal and Rivers Trust.

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Described as a routine project by the trust, a lock gate is in the process of being replaced and a special boat crane is helping to lift the old lock gate out and the replacement in.

The draining of the water has exposed long-forgotten and disposed-of items at the bottom, including the remains of a pushbike.

Coun James Begley, chairman of Barrowford Parish Council, said: “The canal itself is enormously important for the village’s economy and brings in a lot of tourists every year.

“That means that a lot of people rely on the canal working properly so that people can come and go.

“It’s even more important now with the new Booths superstore in the village, which attracts people here and also means that they might be spending more money elsewhere in Barrowford.

“The canal being closed has not significantly impacted on the village since last month and as a parish council we understand that the work had to be carried out.

“It will be better when it has been fully reopened and it’s good to know that this section of the canal will be working properly for the foreseeable future.

“I think that people are broadly in favour of the work being carried out but there will always be a few grumbles. The work has not caused too much interference, which is good.”

A spokesman for the Canal and Rivers Trust said: “Routine lock gate replacement work is taking place on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Barrowford.

“A special boat crane is being manoeuvred into position to lift the old lock gate out and the new lock gate in.

“The canal was closed on November 11 and scheduled to re-open on December 19, subject to the work being completed.

“The water has to be drained out of the canal and the boat crane carefully positioned before the lock gate can be removed and the new gate installed.

“The lock gate is due to be lifted out later this week.”

The Canal and River Trust is a charitable organisation that was set up to look after the waterways of England and Wales.

The transfer of ownership from the previous government-owned operator, British Waterways, took place in 2012.