Multi-million-pound project bridge left to ruin less than a decade after completion

Bentley Mill Way reopened in 2016 after works to lower the road beneath the Grade II listed James Bridge Aqueduct were completed.

The reopening of the road marked the end of a £26 million highways improvement scheme in Darlaston. However, less than a decade later, trees and plants are now breaking through the brickwork of the wall, which if left unattended, could lead to its collapse.

Concerned Walsall resident Mandy Allsopp first got in touch with the council about the problem in January 2024 when she first noticed the bricks cracking. On her latest call to the council in November, an officer told Mandy that the bridge was the responsibility of the Canal and River Trust and that they were aware of the issue.

The Canal and River Trust said it is aware of the problem, and that the works ‘may’ would fall under the remit of Walsall Council.

Mandy said without maintenance, the wall would eventually collapse: “It’s dangerous and needs sorting, and the sooner, the better. The longer it’s left the more expensive it’s going to be. It’s a busy road that is used constantly. The road would have to be closed for the wall to be put right. It would cause havoc and disruption to be repaired.

“I called four times to notify them about the problem. And nothing has physically been done to sort this wall out. The council told me it’s the Canal and River Trust. Whether it’s them or the council, there’s an issue and nothing is being done. It is very frustrating.”

A spokesperson for the Canal and River Trust said: “Thank you to Mandy for taking a keen interest in Walsall’s canal heritage. The canal network is a national treasure, but one that takes a lot of looking after to keep it open and safe and here for the community and wildlife to benefit from.

“We’re aware of the vegetation growth at the aqueduct. Most of the vegetation is growing from the public footpath, which suggests it may fall under the remit of Walsall Council.

“Fortunately, we have some amazing volunteers who are active on this stretch and, if it is under our remit, they can hopefully get to it as soon as other priorities allow. In the meantime, our engineer can reassure Mandy that there aren’t any immediate threats to the aqueduct.”

Walsall Council declined to comment, saying that the works come under the remit of the Canal and River Trust.