A breach on the Llangollen Canal near New Mills Lift Bridge, Whitchurch, happened in the early hours of 22nd December.
The incident has been highly distressing for the boat owners affected, with footage online showing the situation unfolding. Heartbreakingly, two boats were washed into the breach hole and a further two feared at risk right next to the hole, including one part-over the edge of the breached canal. A further six boats were sat on the drained bed of the canal in a section that had run dry.
The Trust’s initial response was to make the site secure and ensure that boaters affected had adequate support, including those needing somewhere for them and their pets to stay. (Picture by Canal & River Trust.)
Yesterday (23rd December), the Trust installed temporary dams nearer to the breach location to shorten the length of the canal that will remain dry until the canal is rebuilt and back to navigation.
Overnight, canal water has been pumped into the dammed sections and, as of 6am this morning, water levels were starting to recover. This means that one of the boats near to the breach site, plus six further up the canal, are now beginning to refloat. They are expected to be fully afloat by later today.
Also, at about 10pm last night, the team has been able to rescue the boat teetering at the edge of the breach hole. This was possible thanks to a specialist winch operation, using a heavy-duty tracked winch measuring approximately 5m by 3m. Once in location, the winch was able to haul the boat along the drained canal away from the breach hole. The boat is now safely located next to the lift bridge. In the new year, a dam will be constructed beyond the boat and it also refloated.
Engineers have started their investigations into what caused the canal embankment to be undermined. This will continue after the new year together with the initial plans to recover the two boats in the breach hole and the long and costly process of rebuilding and reinstating the canal.