No quick opening of Worcester & Birmingham Canal

IT WAS WAY BACK in October 2024 that a restriction for boats no wider than 6’ 10’’, was in place at lock 58 on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal due to bulging in the lock wall.

Then came the complete closure as it worsened, Keith Gudgin reports.

Now we are told that the chamber brick wall has been excavated to a depth of nearly two metres, and temporary works have been installed to secure the back wall in place.

Dismantling

With the news that the careful dismantling of the chamber brick wall has progressed well this week, and we have now reached a depth of one metre below the coping level, with now pontoons installed across the canal above and below Lock 58.

However there is still much work to be undertaken, so it will be a while before the lock is again opened for navigation, with access to and from the Birmingham Navigations not possible via this waterway.