Boats stranded as canal collapses
Boats have been left stranded on the Shropshire Union Canal after part of it collapsed.
The canal, which runs through Whitchurch and Ellesmere, was drained between Stanthorne Lock and Wardle Lock, near Middlewich, yesterday.
Emergency engineers from the Canal and River Trust (CaRT) were on scene trying to make the area safe and rebuild the section. Up to 20 boats were left stranded in the three-quarters of a mile empty section.
A statement from CaRT said: “We believe only one householder may be affected, with minor damage to their garden. Between 15 and 20 boats are within the drained section and the trust will be contacting all the owners with offers of assistance.”
“Trust engineers are trying understand the cause of the breach and will be making an initial assessment regarding how to progress repairs, likely timescales and costs.”
