Lichfield Canal Divert The Big Pipe скачать в хорошем качестве

Lichfield Canal Divert The Big Pipe

Gallows Reach, Tamworth Road project This exciting two-year project will see the construction and watering of the canal channel between London Road and the existing old Lock 24 in Borrowcop Locks Canal Park. The work will also include a new lock to the west of Cricket Lane and a lift bridge linking Longbridge Road with Tamworth Road. We will also carry out additional planting, including semi-mature trees, to increase biodiversity. Background Planning approval was received in summer 2024 subject to discharge of planning conditions, which will be fulfilled in the summer of 2025. The planning approval includes: the construction of a 650 metre water-tight canal channel from London Road to the existing old Lock 24 in Borrowcop Locks Canal Park a new lock to the west of Cricket Lane a lift bridge linking Longbridge Road with Tamworth Road new pedestrian steps from Gallows Wharf to London Road. Our aim is to get as much of the canal in water as soon as possible, so we will incorporate stop planks or dams along the route to enable this to happen. We will also carry out additional planting, including more trees, to increase biodiversity. It will link up the completed section at Borrowcop Locks Canal Park and the partly-prepared channel at St John’s Grange, which has two culverts, and was developed by Amey and Persimmon. They will also install an additional culvert installed beneath Cricket Lane, as part of the new housing development at that location. Timeline Updated February 2026 Work Target dates Status Enabling works Winter 2024 Complete ✔ Production of the lift bridge July 2025 Complete ✔ Lift bridge foundation works Aug 2025 Complete ✔ WRG camp (Gallows Wharf) Aug 2025 Complete ✔ Lift bridge testing Aug 25-Jan 26 Complete ✔ Piling and base construction (Gallows Reach) Jan-Mar 26 Active 🚧 Construction of Narrows (E. of Cricket Ln) 2025-May 26 Active 🚧 Lift bridge installation May 2026 Due 🔜 Gallows Wharf to lift bridge in water May 2026 Lift bridge to new lock 24 May-Dec 26 Cricket Lane culvert (by SCC) Oct-Dec 26 Lock 24 tie into Cricket Lane culvert Jan 2027 Tamworth Road Narrows tie into culvert Jan 2027 Final watering Feb 2027 NB. Some tree removal or coppicing will be carried out in some sections outside the nesting season. These dates are estimated due to availability of volunteers, funding and weather conditions. Plans Borrowcop Locks Canal Park and Cricket Lane Map location The work at Tamworth Road Narrows is underway and reached a milestone with the removal of the big pipe in April 2025. The culvert under Cricket Lane will be built and paid for by Persimmon Homes as part of the Cricket Lane housing development. The Arboricultural Impact Assessment and Tree Survey Report identified that some trees must be removed along this section to allow the canal to be restored. Several of the trees to be removed had self‑seeded in the canal bed, others have roots growing into the line of the new channel and would become unsafe if those roots were cut, and a few are already dead or dying. This work will be carried out before the nesting season. Looking to the future, our Landscape and Environmental Management Plan, confirms how we will undertake landscaping and new tree planting as part of the canal restoration. Work will take place in May 2026. Gallows Reach and Gallows Wharf Work started again at Gallows Wharf in February 2025 when our volunteers started enabling works and then to construct the offside canal wall. We also installed a new set of steps from the wharf to London road, which will enable walkers and resident to access the road from the non-towpath side of the canal. The Landscape & Ecological Management Plan (LEMP) sets out how the canal restoration will protect wildlife, enhance habitats, and manage the landscape over the long term. It is required under the planning permission for the project and follows national and local biodiversity policies. The ecological walkover and previous surveys identified a mix of existing habitats, some of which we have previously created. In addition the restoration will boost biodiversity through three main measures: Wildflower meadows: New wildflower areas on mounds and embankments, managed to keep strong wildflower cover and support pollinators, bats, reptiles and invertebrates. Hedgerows: Existing hedges strengthened, gaps filled with native species, and new hedgerows planted along boundaries. Managed on a rotation to stay dense and berry‑rich for wildlife. Trees: New native trees planted throughout the site, with a commitment to replace any that are removed or fail, so the landscape continues to mature over time. Latest work We are a charity with no central funding and no paid staff, so the work will be carried out by our own volunteers and visiting groups. We will use contractors if necessary, such as for the construction of the lift bridge.