Canal boats wedged for an hour at narrow entrance to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Boaters became stuck in a traffic jam in the sky when two narrowboats became wedged entering an aqueduct.
They were trying to pass each other at the entrance to the 126ft high Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, on the Llangollen Canal on the Shropshire border. But their drivers misjudged the narrow width of the canal, which is just 11ft across. It took more than an hour for the boats to be freed, with help from passengers at the Trevor Basin.
Watching the embarrassing situation was Sharon Kelly from Dudleston Heath near Ellesmere, who had taken some American friends to see the aqueduct, which is a World Heritage Site.
She said: "The two boats were well and truly wedged within the canal trough and it took ages to prise them free. There was quite a build up of traffic waiting to cross the aqueduct."
She added: "My visitors were really impressed with the aqueduct – and quite enjoyed the entertainment as well."
