The lock west wall is in a reasonable condition as far as our engineering advisor can tell. The east wall has partly collapsed due to problems with the bypass culvert. Our first task is to get the east wall shored up to make it safe to work in then to divert the water flowing into the lock to the backsoke and form a dam below the bottom gates to stop water from the tail end pound flooding into the lock chamber. The lock can then be pumped out and a full inspection carried out prior to repair.

The lock is adjacent to the road which runs through Briggate and is a prominent historic feature within the village. This is the only lock on the canal which has the original bottom gates still standing and one gets a good impression of what the locks looked like in its heyday. The canal is unique in Norfolk and this lock is a fine heritage asset for the village which must be saved for future generations to enjoy.

When all the remedial building work has been done the integrity of the fabric should be assured for many years. The lock structure will not collapse, as it surely will, if left in its current state and the village will lose its 174 year old unique piece of heritage. When the lock has been repaired the area between the recently restored millpond and the lock can be levelled and grassed.