The secrets of the canal

The Canal and River Trust have drained locks in an iconic flight on the Sheffield and Tinsley Navigation at Tinsley and are giving people the opportunity to walk through the empty structures to discover more about how they work on Sunday (8).

Hundreds of fish were rescued and relocated this week ahead of the works which will see the replacement of lock gates as part of the Trust’s £45 million, five-month maintenance programme.

Fish rescue specialists, MEM Fisheries used a technique called electrofishing — immobilising the fish with a low electrical current so they float to the surface — in order to move them for the duration of the works.

John Ellis, national fisheries and angling manager said: “The Sheffield and Tinsley Navigation is an important habitat for a variety of fish and before we do any work our priority is to make sure that we protect the species that call the canals home.

“Electrofishing allows us to safely locate and move the fish without hurting them at all.

“It’s also a great chance to see the wide variety of life our canals support and see hundreds of fish including Roach, Bream and Pike."

During the trust’s maintanance work, specialists will be replacing the lock gates which were last changed in 1987.

Teams of experts across the country have been working on around 100 locks across the country, replacing 141 lock gates for the benefit of the 32,000 boats and 13 million towpath visitors that visit them each year.

Last summer the Trust replaced lock gates at Aldwarke Lock, near Asda, Dalton.

During the process of draining the lock, maintenance teams uncovered a World War One service medal and several cannon balls.

Lock 10, at Tinsley, will be open between 9.30am and 3.30pm on Sunday (8).

Visitors are asked to take the tram to Meadowhall South/Tinsley, walk over the bridge and turn left onto the towpath to the lock.

They are also asked to wear sturdy footwear for their visit.

To find out more go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/winter-open-days-201415.