Hope for Caldon reopening this week-end

Published: Friday, 21 April 2023

THERE is the possibility that the Caldon Canal will reopen this week-end

The canal has been closed to navigation for two weeks owing to the amount of silt washed down from the Churnet, Keith Gudgin reports.

ChurnetCaldonAfter a flood

This is below Lock 16 where the river enters the canal and is a fairly frequent happening after a flood, that recently occurred.

The Canal & River Trust has been attempting to get the canal dredged but had not the equipment available to undertake it, so navigation has been closed, though shallow draughted boats have been getting past.

But at last the equipment is on site and work commenced yesterday, Thursday.

It is hoped that the navigation will be clear of silt by the week-end and normal boating progress can be made.