Good Progress At The Stourbridge Canal Breach

26 September 2008

Work is progressing well at the Stourbridge Canal breach site with a number of significant milestones reached this week. With both clay dams now built and water pumped from the River Stour into the majority of the canal (apart from the breach site), British Waterways has now been able to release all of the trapped boats back onto the network.

Following the completion of the clay dam, a section of the canal from Middle Bridge to Stourton has now been re-watered, allowing the two boats trapped boats to have passage through the Stourton locks back onto the network. The Stourton Locks will remain closed whilst the works at the breach site continue, to prevent any further water loss. However, local business Black Country Narrow Boats will be allowed passage through the locks every two weeks to ensure access is given to their boating customers.

The 2nd clay dam has also been completed, allowing the section of the canal from Wordsley to Stourbridge Junction to also be re-watered. The boater trapped within this section, had suffered several serious attacks of vandalism over the past few weeks, but has now been able to continue on his journey up through the Stourbridge Locks. Stourbridge Junction will remain closed to all other boating traffic whilst work at the breach site continues.

The towpath between Newtown Bridge and Middle Bridge will remain closed until further notice. British Waterways is confident that the full re-instatement works will begin shortly, but at this stage cannot confirm the proposed completion date or the costs involved.

British Waterways would once again like to thank its customers for their continued patience during this challenging time.

Customers requiring further information should contact British Waterways West Midlands on: 01827 252000.

Ends

If you would like more information please contact:
Nicky Lister, Marketing and Communications Manager, on Tel: 01827 252059 or Mob: 07710 175118

Notes to Editors

1. British Waterways cares for and maintains the nation's 2,200 mile network of canals and inland waterways, working in partnership with private companies, local authorities, voluntary groups and other government agencies to protect and enhance the waterways and benefit the communities through which they run.

2. For more information about all aspects of UK waterways, visit www.waterscape.com