Twibell Street Locks and Lock Keepers Cottages
Location/Address
Twibell Street Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Type
Other site, structure or landscape
Assets that cannot fit any of the other categories. This category includes sites of archaeological interest, where the original form and function may not be apparent without the use of archaeological techniques and interpretation.
Description
The area consists of the site of 2 Lock Keepers Cottages. One was the Junction Lock Keepers House (or Lengths mans House), the other being the Lock House. There is also the site of the former Aqueduct (now a bridge), and a Triple Lock & Stop Lock.
An additional Stop Lock was buried intact during land reclamation, it is located at the end of Newlyn Drive.
Statement of Significance
Asset type
The Aquaduct was the largest in South Yorkshire and the Stop Lock is a Triple Lock design which is not common.Age
The River Calder to Barnsley branch of the Canal was completed in June 1799. The Dearne & Dove branch reached Hoyle Mill Junction 12th Nov 1804Rarity
The Lock is a Triple Lock and also a Stop Lock which is not common. The Aquaduct was designed by William Jessop and had 5 spans of 30 foot arches over the River Dearne.Architectural and Artistic Interest
The Aquaduct was designed by Willian Jessop and was unique in South Yorkshire. The approach to the Aquaduct has the stonework that supported pulleys in order to guide the tow ropes around the curves to the Aquaduct. The water trough was built in 1817 and was used to provide spring water to the Bargees and their horses.Group Value
The Aquaduct has been partly dismantled and a bridge placed on the piers to provide a link between the opposite sides of the River Dearne. The Stop Lock is complete apart from the gates etc. There is another Stop Lock buried intact near to Newlynn Drive. There is another Stop Lock which was covered over when land reclamation took place - referenced in Survey carried out by Dove & Dearne Canal Group.Historic Interest
Barnsley developed as a Town due to the Local Industries. Prior to the building of the Canal, transportation of raw materials, and goods was by pack horses and horse and cart. It was recognised that as Barnsley was 'landlocked' a cheap and efficient way to convey coal, limestone and other raw materials was needed. The Aire and Calder (Barnsley) Canal provided a link to West Yorkshire and the Humber Basin and South Yorkshire via the Dove and Dearne Canal. The Canal enabled the high quality coal in the area to be transported more efficiently. Limestone, sand, wood pulp and paper were also transported via the Canal to meet the needs of the Glass Industry and Steel and Paper Industries. The Canal also enabled the Linen Industry to thrive - transporting spun flax yarn for the weavers and kelp and wood ash for alkali for the bleach works.Archaeological Interest
The Aquaduct was designed by William Jessop and was the largest in South Yorkshire. The Stop Lock has been raised and repaired over time with both stone and blue engineering bricks - due to subsidence causing the level of the bottom of the Lock to fall! The Dove and Dearne Canal was generally short of water, so only one set of gates were provided, but a barge entering the Lock from the Barnsley end generally had to lock down 2 sets of gates. The water trough was built over a natural spring in 1817 and has survived almost intact. The Lock has markings on the stone work that may be Masons' marks.Landmark Status
The Locks and Aquaduct are well known in the area and used as reference points when describing locations. Other parts of the Canal are also well known landmarks - Tinkers Pond and The 32 Steps, Barnsley Brewery and Barnsley Main were served by the Canal and used as reference points.Images and Documents
Date Listed
n/a
Last Updated
14 Jun 2023
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