BCN water supply assured

THE water supply to the Birmingham Canal Navigations is now assured with the Chasewater Reservoir not only repaired but full of water.

Its closure in 2010 caused problems on the BCN, it being its main supply, with events cancelled and restrictions imposed, but it had to be emptied to carry out essential repairs, Alan Tilbury relates.  Ralph Freeman's photographs shows the reservoir filling up in May last year just after it was repaired, with a long way to go.

Exceptional rainfall

Though the work was finished early last year, relying mainly on rain water for its feed it was not expected to be full until later this year, but the exceptional rainfall has filled it completely.

Altogether the cost of repair was upwards of £5m, covering two years work, this guarantees water for the BCN for the coming season.