Sluice And Road Bridge At Outfall Of Snow Sewer/Warping Drain Into The River Trent

The sluice and road bridge at the outfall of the Snow Sewer/Warping Drain into the River Trent is a structure likely built in the 1760s or 1770s, with later repairs. It is constructed of ashlar and features three segmental-headed arches on both the east and west sides. There are central flat-topped cutwaters and flanking revetment walls that are splayed outwards, with a coped parapet above, situated between rectangular piers. The east side includes vertical slots in the cutwaters and revetment walls that were used for former sluice gates. On the west side, remnants of hinged timber sluice gates can be found in the central channel, while the side channels are now filled with earth.

The Snow Sewer was originally cut or re-cut by Vermuyden in the 1620s to 1630s. The flood gates were destroyed by local inhabitants in 1642, leading to subsequent repairs. In 1764, engineer John Smeaton reported on the Axholme drainage system, and following his recommendations, the sluice was rebuilt with a lower sill. In the 19th century, the sluice and drain were also utilized for warping the adjacent land, a method that involved depositing silt through controlled flooding. The sluice was largely replaced by mechanical pumps in the 20th century.