Volunteers restore canal heritage
Since receiving official planning permission, the Droitwich Canals Partnership has wasted no time in getting stuck into major restoration work on the town’s canals.
People visiting Vines Park in the heart of the town may have already noticed a hive of activity around the historic Barge Lock. Teams of volunteers from across the UK are hard at work restoring the Lock. After dredging the lock in June, the volunteers from the Waterway Recovery Group are now spending three week re-pointing and repairing the brickwork and installing the necessary lock features (ladders and bollards) needed for it to become a working lock once again. The Waterway Recovery Group is a voluntary organisation, which helps to restore derelict canals in Britain. The Waterways Trust led a campaign to raise the £100,000 needed to restore the Barge Lock and waterway enthusiasts from across the country have given generously to the appeal. Kim Chester, Development Manager, said: “Restoration of the lock is fundamental to the plans to re-open the Droitwich Canals and it is fantastic that volunteers from all over Britain are coming to Worcestershire to play such an active part in this project.” Over the four weeks, the volunteers will spend a total of 2,700 hours removing 75 tonnes of silt and repairing the ancient lock. The construction of the Lock and the Junction Canal were hugely significant developments for Droitwich as they provided a direct link from the town to the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and the inland waterway network of the Midlands. For over 80 years, boats had only been able to reach Droitwich from the River Severn in the west via the Barge Canal. Originally built in 1854, records indicate that the brickwork on the Barge Lock had to be raised twice in the 50 years after its construction by an astounding total of three metres due to the subsidence caused by salt extraction. British Waterways is currently restoring the two waterways – the Junction and Barge Canals, and the Partnership aims to complete the £11.5m restoration project by the end of 2009. As well as preserving 40 heritage structures, creating a 21 mille linear park and canal loop with new wildlife habitats, the restored Droitwich Canals will generate over 320,000 new visits to the area within five years and an additional spend of £2.75m per year in the local economy. Be part of it
Worcestershire residents and businesses can be part of this nationally important project by making a donation to the restoration appeal. Visit www.thewaterwaystrust.org.uk or call 01452 318098 for information.
|
