No opening date in sight for W&B

THERE is no opening date in sight for the Worcester & Birmingham Canal that has been closed at Gas Street due to a leak.

Our Keith Gudgin has been told by Canal & River Trust workmen that the leak is over a very long disused railway tunnel that goes from near the source of the leak towards Netherton, and that it will be some time before the canal can be reopened as no work is yet scheduled for the problem.

In bottom of canal

It is understood that the Trust will have to work with Network Rail and/or Birmingham City Council, that will take time, with the leak being in the bottom of the canal.

It is reported that Gas Street Basin is being drained, which means the boats moored there will either have to be moved away or sit on the bottom until the problem is solved and the basin once more re-watered.

'At least of month'

All that can be gathered at the moment is that the work will take 'at least a month', as the Trust is not aware of the cause of the leak, but that it affects over 300 yards of waterway.

But first a fish rescue must take place, that will start tomorrow, Saturday.