Dragonfly 65 (Summer 1997) reported: "Permission has now been given to start work on the two Dunnington locks. With the help of a small visiting party from Avon & Wilts Branch of the IWA, the head of the lower lock has been partially cleared. Full clearance will not be undertaken until the bird nesting season is over."
The Winter 1997-98 issue provided an update: "West of the Marlborough Road, about two thirds of the Dunnington bottom lock have been cleared during two visits by the Royal Engineers T.A. Unit from Brize Norton who regard it as an interesting 'hands-on' exercise and are hungry for other similar projects anywhere on the canal."
The brickwork was finally uncovered by local members in June 1998.
After photos were taken, the vegetation was allowed to grow around the site to protect people and animals from falling in.