Canal water pledge on work at reservoir

British Waterways (BW) is reassuring boaters, event organisers and waterside businesses that it is taking action to keep up water levels in local canals to make up for the loss of the feed from Chasewater.

It is preparing measures to manage water levels on the Birmingham Canal Navigations during reservoir dam repair works. Lichfield District Council, which owns and maintains the reservoir, is due to start essential work in May which will reduce water for the canal network.

The reservoir is one of the main water supplies for 198-miles of canal. BW has been working with affected groups to explore implications of the works.

It plans to improve efficiency of the existing Earlswood Lakes feeder supply to cut demand on the Wolverhampton level.

It will also increase weed cutting on the Bradley Arm to improve water flow into the canal network.

The maintenance regime will be strengthened and a new control system will be created at Bradley Pumps so water levels can be restored.

Action may be taken at any time depending on canal use patterns, rainfall and summer temperatures.

BW is also working with event organisers to try and retain as many events as possible. In some cases it may be necessary to consider alternative locations, dates and numbers of boats.

Events have only been cancelled after discussions with organisers. Event organisers with concerns are advised to contact local waterway manager Dean Davies on 01827 252000 as soon as possible.

Graham Whorton, Birmingham Canal Navigations Society chairman, said they supported BW's request, after discussions with the event organisers, to postpone some events to ensure that water levels are maintained.