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News & Media > Waterways Services

28:04:2010

Canal repairs will benefit boaters and towpath users

May Gurney has started work on £500,000 project which will allow boaters and towpath users to enjoy the full length of a canal at Leek in Staffordshire.

A breach on the Caldon Canal in November led to the collapse of a 15-metre length of embankment as well as damage to the canal bed and its clay lining. About 21 million gallons of water leaked across agricultural land and into the River Churnet.

The project team investigated the possible causes, carried out ecological assessments, secured access agreements with local landowners and identified the most efficient way of completing repairs.

They will now fill the hole in the embankment with a new clay and earth dam. The clay lining will be reinstated to ensure it remains watertight, and sections of the embankment will also be reinforced to reduce the risk of future leaks. The works are expected to take around 18 weeks.

Darren Green, British Waterways’ waterway manager, said: “We’re delighted that boaters and towpath users will soon be able to enjoy the full length of the Caldon Canal once more.

“It’s not every day that you have to rebuild a 200-year-old canal embankment and so these repairs have taken a fair amount of planning, but our customers have understood this and been very patient and supportive.”

Footnote: May Gurney and British Waterways
May Gurney holds a four-year framework contract with British Waterways for the maintenance and improvement of its canals and rivers. The contract, which includes a possible two-year extension, is estimated to be worth around £20m per annum and covers a range of maintenance and improvement activities across approximately 80 to 150 projects each year.