Landslip restricts Staffs & Worcs Canal

Published: Monday, 22 June 2020

A LANDSLIP on the Staffs & Worcs Canal has restricted the navigation

Offside bank material has been washed into the canal just below Aldersley Junction by Tunstall Water Bridge preventing the passage of deep draughted boats, Keith Gudgin reports.

Water level reduced

Canal & River Trust tell that the water level has been reduced, though no reason is given, but this then only allows shallow draughted boats to pass the obstruction by keeping well over to the towpath side.  We are told that contractors will resolve the problem as soon as possible.

WolverleyLandSlip400The last landslip on the canal occurred in March of last year at Wolverley, (pictured) caused by a leaking Sever-Trent water pipe, Graham Booth tells us, and not an exceptional amount of rain that washed the bank away.  The leak bringing spoil and vegetation into the waterway that took days to clear, though passage was established before it was completely cleared.

Wash into the canal

Boaters who have cruised this southern part of the Staffs & Worcs will be aware of its sand cuttings, that wash into the canal.