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Page 1 of 2 THE Droitwich Barge Canal saw its first boat in 80 years through its lock off the Severn on Monday (6th September).
This waterway is a vital link in a 21 miles cruising Ring that includes the Severn, Junction Canal and Worcester & Birmingham Canal, though its complete 'canalisation' above Droitwich and its subsequent water supply from the Worcester & Birmingham Canal leaves it as yet incomplete.
Ready in May
However by next May this is expected to be ready, when boaters will be able to take advantage of this 'new' Ring.
It was at 10am on the Monday when the narrowboat Transcendence left the Severn and entered Lock 1 to begin its journey to Droitwich—the first boat in 80 years since the waterway was discarded. Steered by British Waterways Senior Regeneration Manager Jason Leach and crewed by BW staff it was cheered by the watching crowd.
Moorings
Work is well under way on providing lock moorings on the river, with steel piling being driven into the river bed to secure floating pontoons, with further mooring due to be installed by the lock entrance itself.
 The boat stayed in the lock whilst the Press and television people interviewed the crew, then out it came to begin its five miles and seven locks cruise to the centre of Droitwich, round the bend to lock number 2, and quite a few comments that the top gates did not leak!
 The boat was locked through then carried on accompanied by a crowd on the towpath through the duckweed a short distance to the specially constructed tunnel under the A449 that was specially built in 2004 to accommodate the waterway.
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