Mayflower helps to restore historic Lock at London’s Olympic Park

By: Joe Wright on 7th Jul 2016 - 04:12 PM     Share on:

Sheffield firm Mayflower Engineering will play a key role in a landmark restoration project at London’s Olympic Park. Mayflower is partnering with construction group Kier, on a mission to bring new life to the park’s historic Carpenters Road Lock. This exciting and unique project is part of a wider programme to restore London’s waterways and preserve the area’s industrial heritage.

 The Canal & River Trust is leading the project which will restore the lock’s original flood control and navigation functions and deliver new engagement activities profiling the historic importance of the lock. Built in the 1930s, the lock features the only ‘double radial lock gates’ in the country, which lift vertically to enable boats to pass underneath. Restoration of the lock, part of London’s Olympic Games Legacy, will also reopen a section of waterway which has been inaccessible since the 1960s.

Mayflower will manufacture the new lock gates, gantry and operating mechanism in Sheffield, before installing them on site. Weathering Steel will be used for the gantry, creating an eye catching rust effect designed to contrast with the overhead stainless steel bridge.

The project is being funded by the Canal & River Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund, London Legacy Development Corporation and the Inland Waterways Association.

Mayflower Engineering’s Lee Stanley, who is responsible for managing the project, said:

“Mayflower is one of the few British engineering firms with the technical know-how required to produce this bespoke engineered solution. We are very proud to be part of this historic project, which will be made in Sheffield”.

Joanna Steele, Canal & River Trust Heritage Activities Officer, added:

“Mayflower has shown great passion and technical skill during this restoration project, and our working partnership will not only bring a bespoke lock to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, but also put the community at the very heart of the new Carpenters Road Lock.”