SP1976 : Knowle Bottom Lock south-east of Solihull
taken 12 years ago, near to Knowle, Solihull, England
There are five wide locks in the flight at Knowle on the Grand Union Canal. They provide a total rise of 41ft 10in (12·75 metres).
Originally there were six narrow locks here. During the extensive upgrading of the Grand Union Canal in the early 1930s these were replaced by the five wide locks in which pairs of boats could navigate together, side by side. Remnants of the original structures can still be seen to the east of several of the current locks.
Side ponds were installed alongside each lock in order to optimise efficiency in the use of water. Pairs of ground paddles can still be seen by each lock, though the sideponds are no longer in use.
The locks are numbered 47 to 51 starting from the bottom of the flight.