Lichfield Canal restoration progresses

I TRUST you will allow me to tell you how the restoration of the Lichfield Canal is progressing, writes George Hadfield.

Quite a bit of progress

There has been quite a bit of progress that I see you have included, especially the money from the HS2, but the more recent is the completion of a new 500 metre plus of the actual canal in water.

This is included in the Darnford Moors Ecology Park project, that of course gets the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust grant funding.

This was the European Regional Development Fund and there was more funding as it was matched with funding from HS2’s Community & Environment Fund. It is all tied up with the trust allowing the canal being part of an ecology park with an aquatic habitat, a wetlands area and hedgerows for more wildlife.

The future is taken care of with Onsite Central Ltd installing ducting along the canal for cables to carry power for electric boats  when they arrive.

Most impressive

I was one of those on the guided walk that was provided to see all the work that was being undertaken and to see the canal actually in water, and most impressive.

For the future the canal will have to be diverted for the HS2 so a new bridge will have to be built in addition to the one already constructed over the motorway that is already in existence. (pictured.) The new bridge is scheduled to be completed in 2027.