Dalmuir Drop Lock and Bridge, viewed from the north

The swing bridge which was formerly on this site was a source of constant delays. When the canal was re-opened as a Millennium Project and with the aid of Lottery money, the opportunity was seized to do something quite ingenious. The bridge gives a clearance of only 20 inches, but gates are provided each side of the bridge to impound about 500,000 gallons of water. Once the boat has entered the lock and the gates have been closed, the water is pumped out to give up to 10 feet of clearance. The boat then moves forward under the bridge and the water allowed back in before the exit gates are opened, allowing the boat to depart.

Photograph taken by Bob Wood on 20 July 2004 and was added to the database on Tuesday the 3rd of October, 2006

This photo is of Dalmuir Drop Lock and Bridge on the Forth and Clyde Canal (Main Line)