Registered Charity No. 702429

Two Canals which are key to regenerating the northern Birmingham Canal Navigations gained recognition when M6 Toll canal crossings were built. The Government reaction included amending Planning Policy Guidance intending to avoid such obstruction in future. However, the Policy has not been applied to address the diversion of the Lichfield Canal to follow a new Bypass where essential canal works must be funded privately. It could be “now or never”.

Culverts for the Hatherton Canal under M6 Toll and A460 and A5-A34 roundabout in Chirchbridge, Cannock (Photos by Bob Williams)

The Lichfield & Hatherton Canals were thrust into the limelight when plans to build the M6 Toll motorway severing both canals had to be overcome during road construction. In 2001-2003 the David Suchet Appeal and The Manifold Trust raised nearly half the total cost of £1.2 million to install navigable structures.

Lichfield Canal aqueduct over the M6 Toll motorway

As a result, Government Planning Policy Guidance 13 (PPG13) was amended with the intention of avoiding future obstruction of existing or restorable canals, but is not being applied fairly in all cases.

This dilemma now affects the Lichfield Canal where plans to extend the Lichfield Southern Bypass failed to include a canal crossing.

Proposed bypass plan courtesy of Waterways World magazine

Despite high-level negotiations in late 2005 between the authorities, with British Waterways support, it is still left to the voluntary sector to meet the high cost of having the required structures built for the canal. A culvert under the Birmingham Road, Lichfield will cost about £500,000. If left to the future it would probably cost many times more. The Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust is making every effort to reinstate the canal for the nation, but cannot do it alone.

"CAN YOU PLEASE HELP US PREVENT BLOCKING THE WAY THROUGH BY MAKING A GENEROUS DONATION TO PRESERVE THE FUTURE OF THE LICHFIELD CANAL. THANK YOU."

David Suchet, OBE
Vice-President, LHCRT
February 2006

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Address and Telephone number for enquiries:
Bob Williams
Norfolk House, 29 Hall Lane
Hammerwich, Staffs WS7 0JP
Email: Bob Williams
Telephone: 01543 671427