Bingley celebrates Five Rise Locks' 250th anniversary

“It was a big celebration,” said Bingley Town Councillor chairman Philippa Gibbons. “For us, it was an opportunity to showcase the jewel in the crown for Bingley.”

Bingley celebrated the 250th anniversary of the Five Rise Locks. (Image: UGC)

With events going on around the Five Rise Locks themselves and in Bingley Market Square, Cllr Gibbons said it was also a “great opportunity to get footfall into the town”.

“It was an opportunity to put Bingley on the map. The Five Rise Locks is our major tourist attraction.

“It’s a Grade I listed structure and is the tallest continuous staircase of locks in the country. It’s one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Waterways’.

Bingley's three ward councillors and two people from historic Kennet narrow boat celebrate to 250th anniversary of the Five Rise Locks. (Image: UGC)

In a launch event for the celebrations, Cllr Gibbons said she had the chance go up the locks in a narrow boat.

“It was quite an experience and is most likely on the bucket list of narrow boaters to do one day.”

Cllr Marcus Dearden (Lab, Bingley ward), who also runs The Five Rise Locks Café next to the historic locks, said: “It went incredibly well. It was a very, very busy day – far busier than normal.

“There were thousands of people and Bingley town centre was busy all day long. It was a really good day for Bingley.”

Heave ho. People push the lever to open the Five Rise Locks. (Image: UGC)

Cllr Joe Wheatley (Lab, Bingley ward) said: "Yesterday was a fantastic celebration for the 250th anniversary of the Five Rise Locks.

“It was great to see so many people out across Bingley making their way along the canal to appreciate one of the great wonders of the waterways.

“Hopefully, this will keep the spotlight on Bingley for future visitors".

Morris dancing was one of the events on in Bingley Market Square to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Five Rise Locks. (Image: UGC)

In a statement of the Canal and River Trust’s website announcing the 250th anniversary of the Five Rise Locks, they wrote: "These locks have been in use for over two centuries and remain active today.

"One of the greatest feats of canal engineering of its day, the Grade I listed Bingley Five Rise Locks opened in 1774.

“Boats need to navigate six gates and five chambers to climb or descend 18 metres – and it can take up to 45 minutes to go up. Staircase locks differ from standard locks.

“Whenever we have to restore, repair or replace our lock gates, we use the same traditional methods as used 250 years ago."

Cllr Dearden added: “As a schoolboy at the 200th anniversary of these locks in 1974, I remember what they were like then.

“The sad thing is, they’re deteriorating. These locks desperately need upgrading, but the Canal and Rivers Trust has been slashed.

“As there is no fee at any point of entry on the canal, it’s difficult for them to raise money, and they’re strapped for cash.

“There is a need for investment in these historic locks.”