Waterways Ireland Shannon Navigation Investment Continues

Battlebridge Lock, Co Leitrim is being restored through investment by Waterways Ireland which began in November 2008 and will be completed in Spring 2009.

The contract totalling €195,000 has involved the cleaning of cut stone walls, repointing of joints and strengthening behind the stone walls. The lock, originally built in stone between 1812 and 1822 has been dewatered through the construction of dams upstream & downstream and pumping out of the water to enable the works to take place.

The strengthening works mitigate leakage from Battlebridge Lock through the structure to the Shannon River adjacent. The strengthening work involved the drilling of holes through and behind stone walls and the insertion of a grout to fill any voids conveying leakage. This work will have the additional benefit of stabilising the structure. All the improvements will be hidden from view when the lock is re-watered following completion of the project, leaving the canal operational again.

Battlebridge Lock is one of three locks located on the Lough Allen Canal and will reopen in time to facilitate customers moving through the canal to Lough Allen from the Shannon.

Waterways Ireland have both designed and commissioned the project.

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For further information contact

Waterways Ireland
Press Office Tel no 087 991 8412
Engineer Tel no 087 9857024