Canal re-opens (From Stourbridge News)

Canal re-opens

10:16am Monday 22nd December 2008

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STOURBRIDGE Canal has been opened after vital repair works to the breach were completed ahead of schedule.

An official ribbon cutting ceremony, attended by Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho and British Waterways chairman Tony Hales and other waterways groups, saw the Stourbridge Canal re-opened on Friday December 19.

The canal breached its banks in September, after freak storms caused the River Stour to flood the Stourbridge Town Arm terminus.

Twenty metres of the canal bank gave way causing two miles of the canal to be de-watered from Stourbridge Locks to the top of Stourton and the Stourbridge Town arm.

Engineers have been working hard to fix the breach; they installed two dams, re-profiled the canal and re-lined it with clay either side of the breach gap.

British Waterways and contractor Morrison Construction have the finished the £650,000 repair works in just three months.

West Midlands British Waterways general manager, Tony Harvey, said: “Our top priority was always to get the canal re-opened in time for Christmas.

“It’s a real achievement that the works have progressed well and have been delivered ahead of schedule in a fantastic example of partnership working with our contractors.

“A huge vote of thanks must go to everyone who has been involved with the project, especially to our customers for their understanding support and to those members of staff who responded so quickly to the emergency situation who are a real credit to British Waterways.”

Lynda Waltho MP said: “I was delighted at being asked to officially re-open the canal, so many people in Stourbridge love to use the canals to relax and enjoy themselves.

“I have been impressed with the speed and professionalism with which the breach has been repaired.”

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