Kennet And Avon Canal, Wire Bridge And Wire Lock At Su 363681

The wire bridge and wire lock on the Kennet and Avon Canal are an accommodation bridge and integral lock, built in the late 18th century with some alterations in the 20th century. The bridge is made of brick and features a single elliptical arch, a band, a solid parapet, and piers, all topped with brick and stone coping. To the west, the lock has brick walls and a chamber with cement rendered brick coping. Stone quoins are present at the gate recesses, which include two sets of double wooden gates. The top gates are equipped with mechanical ground paddle gearing, while the bottom gates use hydraulic gate paddle gearing. The Kennet and Avon Canal was constructed between 1794 and 1810, with John Rennie serving as the principal engineer.