Last boat recovered from collapsed Shropshire Union Canal

A few days after the embankment collapsed in Middlewich, Cheshire, about 15 boats were re-floated and relocated, but the final narrowboat caused problems for the Canal and River Trust team.

It was situated only a few metres away from a 70 metre hole and contractors had to construct a special temporary accessed road in the canal bed to reach the stranded boat and breach the site.

On June 22, a specialist low loader, equipped with a crane, drove into the canal bed and lifted out the boat. It was then transported on the low loader to a nearby marina.

Preparatory work to repair the canal breach is progressing well and the main repair project is expected to start in mid-July and last until the end of the year.

Andy Johnson, the trust’s project manager, said: “We have made good progress with a whole host of essential tasks both on and off site.

“Behind the scenes, specialists have been ensuring the ecology, heritage and environment around the breach is safe-guarded and engineers have been working on the complex design plans required to repair the embankment.

“A temporary access road along the canal bed will soon reach the breach site and will then be extended down to the River Wheelock and across the breach itself, allowing contractors to work on all of the devastated sections.

"As well as the reconstruction of the canal and embankment, we will also be reinstating the river to its original width and repairing the aqueduct.

“Inevitably there will be an increase in local traffic around Middlewich and Stanthorne as vehicles bring materials to site and remove unwanted debris.

"Rest assured we will be working hard to finish the vital emergency repairs as quickly as possible.”

The trust, which cares for 2,000 miles of canals, has launched an emergency appeal towards the repair costs which are expected to be in the region of nearly £3 million. Over £30,000 has been raised so far.