£300k transformation of historic Staffordshire waterways
Historic waterways across Staffordshire are set to be restored as part of a £300,000 transformation.
The project includes essential winter maintenance such as the repairing of canal walls, locks and bridges and the installation of new lock gates.
The Canal and River Trust is investing the money throughout Staffordshire.
It forms part of the trust's annual programme of restoration and repairs to historic waterways across England and Wales.
Engineers and skilled workmen will drain out sections of Staffordshire's canals, remove old lock gates and carefully restore historic walls between now and March.
Works will include refitting gates and repairing 200-year-old brickwork at a number of locks in Stoke.
Gates will also be repaired at Bagnall Lock in Alrewas near Lichfield, while brickwork will be regrouted to prevent leaks at Trentham, Etruria and Bedford Street, all close to Stoke.
Elsewhere, workers will refit lock gates at Branston Lock near Burton and carry out a number of repairs in Meaford near Stone.
Darren Green, Canal and River Trust waterways manager, said: "Staffordshire's waterways are some of the most scenic and popular in the country but people may not realise that there's quite a lot of work needed to look after them.
"Our teams are out in all weathers and over the next few months our engineers and heritage experts will be braving the cold to give the canals the care and attention they deserve.
"It's painstaking, specialised work but the canals are an important part of the region's heritage so it's right that we devote some time and craftsmanship to help protect them for future generations."
The Canal and River Trust carries out a year-round programme of works to conserve and repair the fragile infrastructure of the canals and rivers in its care.
Teams of experts complete essential maintenance across 2,000 miles of canals and rivers so they can be enjoyed by over 33,000 boats and 10 million towpath visitors each year.
This winter, the charity is spending a total of £45 million to look after 2,000 miles of canals and rivers across England and Wales.
