Guillotine lock

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A guillotine lock is a type of canal lock. The lock itself operates on the same principle as any normal pound lock, but is unusual in that its gate is a single piece, usually of steel, that slides vertically upwards when opened to allow a boat to traverse underneath. The resemblance to the French guillotine is obvious.

Guillotine locks are relatively uncommon, but many are found on the waterways of East Anglia. The advantages over the more traditional design are that the lock occupies less space, does not require room to swing open, and is quicker to fabricate and install. It is mechanically more complex, however, requiring the use of a gantry and overhead lifting gear.