Carpenter's Road Lock, Navigation lock in Olympic Park, London, England
Carpenter's Road Lock is a navigation lock in Olympic Park with a pair of rising radial gates at each end, connecting the Bow Back Rivers to the Thames waterway system. The structure controls water flow and allows boats to move between different water levels.
The lock was built in 1933 following the River Lee Flood Relief Act of 1930 to prevent flooding in the area. Its original purpose was strictly functional, controlling water levels in the surrounding rivers.
The lock is part of the legacy from the 2012 London Olympics, representing how East London's old industrial waterways became spaces for recreation and leisure. Visitors today can see how this transformation shaped the area and what role the water plays in modern East London.
The lock is managed by the Canal & River Trust and can be used by boats during regular operating hours. The area is accessible to walkers and offers good paths along the waterway for exploration.
This is Britain's only lock with rising radial gates at both ends, making it a remarkable example of engineering design. This construction method is rare and visitors often overlook it, though it represents a technical achievement.
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