Shaping the cut at the ‘hell hole’!
SHROPSHIRE Union Canal volunteers resumed work in March, continuing the restoration of the 330m dry section of the Montgomery Canal at Crickheath.
When finished, this will link the national canal network to the winding hole at Crickheath, which is in water.
The monumental task of substantially overbuilding an area of subsidence affecting both sides of banking in the middle of the section was completed late last year.
A massive pumping-out programme ran throughout a weekend in March to remove thousands of gallons of rain and ground water so machines could operate at both ends of the project.
The emphasis has now shifted to preparing a smaller section of the channel next to Crickheath winding hole, which has also suffered from subsidence, in readiness for remedial treatment.
Other tasks were undertaken in what proved to be a very successful session.
The very sloppy bed of the channel at the end near Pryce’s Bridge – which has been dubbed ‘the hell hole’ – was levelled off and stabilised with grouting material. This was part of preliminary work towards shaping the channel in readiness for lining with layers of waterproofing materials and blocks in the summer.
Another team removed unwanted sections of newt fencing, installed new sections to cope with boundary changes, and repaired damaged parts. To compensate for lost time, there will now be two work parties per month until Christmas.