A professional temporary dam builder (OnSite) was employed to erect a dam in front of and behind the lock, diverting the river flow through the by-wash. With the two dams installed, Trust volunteers pumped out the water between the dams, cut groves in the lock chamber to secure stop planks, constructed a concrete base in front of and behind the lock underneath the stop plank locations and carried out some general lock repair work. 

Now complete it will allow us at any time in the future to install temporary stop planks at each end of the lock and pump out the water in-between without the need for a specialist temporary dam installation. An empty lock is necessary to facilitate future lock gate installation and any maintenance work needed under the normal water level. It has brought Pipps Ford lock up to a ‘fully restored’ lock, ready for lock gates (like Bosmere, Creeting and Baylham already are).