River Gipping Restoration

The Lost Claydon Lock

For the past 40 ish years it was understood that Claydon lock was buried under the now A14 trunk road, but Trust volunteers have recently found remains alongside the A14 and are working with National Highways Agency to investigate further. Of the fifteen locks original built along the river Gipping, each have restored or rebuilt lock chambers walls with water running through them, except Claydon. A lock a Claydon is essential for navigational restoration between Ipswich and Stowmarket.

Lock Wall Remains

Volunteers have uncovered a lock wall around 100 feet long, but think that the other lock wall was demolished, probably knocked into the lock chamber then covered over. If the missing brick lock wall remains are found it maybe possible to rebuild it, but more investigation work needs to be done.

Trust volunteers have recently met with National Highways at the lock remains to establish what further work can be done to restore this lock. The Agency have added this ‘new’ heritage asset to their Cultural Heritage Asset Management Plan and their principal archaeologist is very supportive of further investigations.

Their aim is to secure a contribution towards funding of a feasibility study to investigate the Lock remains further and also to look for ecological benefits over a wider area alongside the river in partnership with the Trust and maybe other interested parties.