New canal bridge plan for narrowboats

Plans for a railway bridge over a Staffordshire canal have been revised to make more room for narrowboats to pass underneath.

The bridge is part of the controversial high speed rail line that will cut through the countryside.

Changes were made to the route of the £32 billion line, including more tunnels in the Chilterns, prior to approval being given yesterday by the Government.

The route is due to see the 225mph trains crossing the Trent and Mersey Canal twice in close proximity near to Woodend Lock above Fradley Junction. But the plans were revised to make more space for boats. Staffordshire County Council and Lichfield District Council had both objected to the high speed rail line amid concerns from residents about the effect on the countryside.

North of Lichfield the high-speed line will require a 1,607ft retaining wall to be built close to Vicar's Coppice followed by a 672ft viaduct near Fulbrook Farm along with a 311ft retaining wall.

The proposed route passes close to the villages of Whittington, Streethay and Hints, where residents and businesses say their lives will be devastated.

Michael Fabricant, Conservative MP for Lichfield, said the changes to the bridge were welcome but added: "As a keen narrowboater I am obviously pleased to know there will still be traffic able to use the canal and there has been a clear commitment given to mitigate the impact on surrounding neighbourhoods.

"But a number of my constituents will be disappointed by this decision, to go ahead with the high speed rail line."