Trent and Mersey Canal Weston Lock

Weston Lock on the Trent and Mersey Canal is a lock chamber, gates, and leat constructed in 1770 by engineer James Brindley, with some minor repairs made later. The lock chamber is made of red brick, partly rebuilt in blue brick, and features stone and concrete copings along with metal and wood gates. The chamber is approximately 12 feet deep and has small metal bollards along both edges, with 20th-century steps leading to the center of the south side. The western gates are wooden, equipped with concrete and metal balance beams, rack and pinion paddle mechanisms, and metal handrails on top. One piece of timber in the gates was replaced in 1978. The eastern gates consist of a timber frame with metal plates, large wooden balance beams, and barrel gearing for the paddles. Both sets of gates have concrete semi-circles with brick steps on either side. A brick leat runs along the north side of the lock and reconnects to the canal after the bridge. At the west end of the leat, there is another pair of rack and pinion mechanisms. Adjacent to the eastern gates and the bridge is a small 20th-century metal bridge. This lock was built as part of the Trent and Mersey Canal.