SP6989 : Foxton Locks in Leicestershire
taken 9 years ago, near to Gumley, Leicestershire, Great Britain

This image shows the flight viewed from the footbridge above Lock 9 (the second lock down).
The ten locks (two staircases) are numbered 8 to 17 from the top. The flight alters the water level by 75 feet (almost 23 metres).
At the northern end of the summit level of the Grand Union Canal (Leicester Section), Foxton Locks is a flight of canal locks consisting of two "staircases" each of five lock chambers, separated by a short connecting pound. The ten locks are numbered 8 to 17 from the top. The flight alters the water level by 75 feet (almost 23 metres).
Water management is by way of large sideponds, so the correct sequence of paddles must be used when negotiating the flight. The locks are usually supervised by an experienced lock keeper, often assisted by recently recruited "Canal and Rivers Trust" volunteers. The locks have strictly applied passageway times, and are secured outside these hours. See Link
Staircase locks are used where a canal needs to climb a steep hill, so two or more locks open directly into the next. The bottom gates of one lock form the top gates of the next. This is the largest flight of such staircase locks on the English canal system. Construction started in 1810, and they were completed by 1812. Restoration took place in 1909, shortly before the unsuccessful nearby Foxton inclined plane was taken out of regular service.
The Leicester section branches off the main line at Braunston and it is 66 miles long with 59 locks (including two five chamber staircase locks at Foxton) and two tunnels. Near Leicester it continues into the River Soar, and briefly along the River Wreake. The navigation then proceeds along the river, with some canalised diversions, to Loughborough and the River Trent south of Long Eaton.
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- Grid Square
- SP6989, 378 images (more nearby
)
- Photographer
- Roger Kidd (find more nearby)
- Date Taken
- Friday, 23 August, 2013 (more nearby)
- Submitted
- Friday, 31 August, 2018
- Geographical Context
- Subject Location
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OSGB36:
SP 6913 8953 [10m precision]
WGS84: 52:29.9581N 0:58.9856W - Camera Location
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OSGB36:
SP 6913 8949
- View Direction
- NORTH (about 0 degrees)



