A delay opening the Droitwich Canals...

Published: Friday, 01 July 2011
...because no one remembered to open the swing bridge to allow the the boat with the VIPs aboard to pass through!

But eventually, after much gesticulating from the guests on the boat, after a while someone realised why they hadn't arrived, and the bridge was eventually unfastened and swung open.

Paying tribute

It was a very well attended affair this afternoon, with representative from the restoration partners, including British Waterways Chairman, Tony Hales, (seen here with Waterways Trust's Roger Hanbury, looking on) all making speeches, but without exception paying tribute to those who had fought for the restoration and worked hard towards it for many years in the face of many setbacks, with Tony telling the assembles crowd:

"This is a truly wonderful day.  It's a fantastic example of what can be done overcoming many obstacles when everyone works together for a common cause.  The investment of the 13 million pounds recognises the great heritage of the canal, the local environments, the habitats of the wildlife, and is a catalyst for economic activity and job creation."

He paid tribute to Wychavon District Council 'that had been fantastic in leading and delivering some difficult land and planning issues', and congratulated the British Waterways team that had project managed the whole development so carefully over a period of three years. The picture shows where the Broad Canal from the right meets the Salwarpe, part of the Junction Canal.

Caroline Spelman

A little later it was the turn of local MP Caroline Spelman, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to play her part by unveiling the plaque, and declaring the waterway open.

The plaque will later be permanently affixed in Vines Park, as a commemoration of the work achieved by the many people that made the restoration of Droitwich Canals possible.

Scores of boats

So the new 21 miles cruising ring is now officially open, well proved by the scores of boat jammed in the moorings and the waterway, so solid that none can move.

This last section to be restored was the Droitwich Junction Canal from its junction with the Worcester & Birmingham at Hanbury Wharf to Droitwich, with eight broad locks, partly utilising the Salwarpe to Vines Park in the town.

Completes the ring

The opening of the Droitwich Broad Canal had previously been featured in narrowboatworld, with eight broad locks from the town to its junction with the Seven. Broad Canal opens This completes the ring, that includes the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and the Severn.

In Droitwich itself are plenty of 48 hour moorings for visitors, with all the facilities of the town just across the road, with a Waitrose supermarket nearby.

Tony Hales told his audience that come September he will be cruising the new waterway—and during that month, by sheer coincidence, so shall we!