Lichfield Canal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lichfield Canal, as it is now known, was historically a part of the Wyrley and Essington Canal, being the section of that canal from Ogley Junction on the northern Birmingham Canal Navigations to Huddlesford Junction on the Coventry Canal, a length of 7 miles. Currently derelict, it is being rebuilt.
Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (LHCRT) are in charge of the restoration of this and the Hatherton Canal. The trust currently estimates both canals should be complete by 2025.
Restoration was threatened by the construction of the M6 Toll motorway around the north of Birmingham, which cut across the canal's route. Funds were raised to build an aqueduct to carry the canal over the motorway. (The aqueduct has been finished but the canal has yet to reach it, giving it an odd appearance.) This has had a beneficial side-effect – the Government has promised that never again will a new road be built in the path of a waterway restoration scheme, unless an aqueduct or tunnel is provided.
A new bridge over Cappers Lane near Whittington was officially open on 21/04/06 which will allow the rebuilding work to continue.
