Abandoned canal brought back to life

Residents in Brownhills are working together to restore the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal, which runs from Brownhills to Lichfield.

It was abandoned in 1954.

The project has won the support of high-profile figures along the way, including Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant and Poirot actor David Suchet, who is the vice president of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust and has headed a funding campaign.

Last year, the trust won a Social Investment Business grant, which has helped to fund work, including clearing a 1km hedge section, planting 800 trees and replacing a demolished culvert over Crane Brook.

It is hoped that canal improvements can be fully completed in around 10 years and that it will bring a new surge of tourism to the area, as well as provide employment opportunities through redevelopment of disused land.

Peter Buck, engineering director at Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust, said: "We are extremely grateful for the support of volunteers and local businesses like WCL Quarries, who have allowed us to access their Cranebrook site in order to work on the canal and use their excavators and man power.

"Without them it would be impossible for us to complete the regeneration of the canal, which we hope will transform the local area and create a beautiful waterway for everyone to enjoy at their leisure.

"It is brilliant that we have been able to progress a multi-million pound project, using only volunteers."

Mr Fabricant said the project is 'fantastic' and will provide a major boost to the local economy.

He said: "The Lichfield and Hatherton Canal will provide an essential link to the rest of the Birmingham canal system when they have been restored.

"It will be not only beneficial to narrow boaters but to the local economy along the route.

"If you ask any shop owner near a canal they will tell you how much business they get from holiday makers, narrow boaters and people using the canal for exercise.

"This is a great project."

Mark Deadman, director of WCL Quarries, said: "At WCL Quarries we are committed to working together with our neighbours to support the local community and are honoured to be involved with the regeneration of the canal.

"It's great to work alongside the volunteers, who range from teenagers to pensioners in order to complete the restoration."