CHIRK Aqueduct, that carries the Llangollen Canal between England and Wales is having a clean-up.
However, it is not a case of the use of ladders to get rid of the vegetation clinging to its stonework, but workers in harnesses lowered down from the 70 feet parapet.
Specialist harnessed contractors
Specialist harnessed contractors will carry out the maintenance work to remove unwanted vegetation which has taken root in crevices of the Grade II listed aqueduct. Using trowels and other hand tools, they will dig out ivy, moss, weeds and even young saplings which, if left unchecked, could damage masonry on the impressive 200 years old structure.
The work is part of a wider Canal & River Trust project to protect heritage structures along the Llangollen and Montgomery canals this winter, including the magnificent Pontcysllte and Chirk aqueducts.
Thomas Telford
Constructed by the famous canal engineer Thomas Telford between 1796 and 1801, Chirk Aqueduct is a masterpiece of civil engineering. It is 710 feet long andt carries the Llangollen Canal across the Ceiriog Valley on the England-Wales border, spanning the two countries.
The aqueduct consists of 10 arches, each with a span of 40 feet. The water level is 65 feet above the ground and 70 feet above the Ceiriog.
Steve Hinton, Contracts Supervisor at Canal & River Trust, explained:
"This is a rare opportunity to see people abseiling over this breathtaking structure to remove overgrown vegetation which has built up over several years."