A multi-million pound scheme to secure the effective working of Bristol's historic docks and safeguard the city from potential flood risks is set to start this week.

The City Docks Capital Project will address urgent repairs and replacement work on the 140-year old Victorian lock system. The work is being carried out by BAM Nuttall in partnership with Bristol City Council.

The work will consist of three phases, with Phase 1 tackling the most urgent works and costing an estimated £4million. Altogether, there will be a planned programme of works over a four-year period and costing in the region of £11million.

Phase 1 involves replacement of the 140-year old Victorian wooden lock gates at Junction Lock and the upgrading of the Junction Lock highway swing bridge, which is reliant on, and powered by, the Hydraulic Main at Cumberland Basin. It also involves installing individual oil hydraulic power packs for operating the Junction Lock gates, sluices and paddles.

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The new gates will be made of steel and are currently being made by Dutch company, Ravestein. The steel gates, weighing 50 tonnes each will replace the 140-year-old pitch-pine wooden gates, which weigh a staggering 80 tonnes each. However, before replacement works can commence, a limpet dam, which have been specially made, will be put in place by a floating crane to lift the locks gates to allow inspection of the hinges, so that they can be considered for inclusion in the design of the new gates.

It is estimated that Phase 1 works will be completed by May 2009.

Future works, which would be covered by Phase 3, include: refurbishing and upgrading the Underfall Yard sluice mechanisms and upgrading Netham Lock and Weir water and flood control mechanisms.

Once completed, the proposed schedule of works would ensure the safe operation of the docks for the next 100 years.

(CD/JM)