Sunday 1st November saw the milestone opening of a key 160 metre section of the Lichfield Canal Heritage Towpath Trail at Gallows Reach. This has been the culmination of much work by our hardworking volunteers, working in all weathers to expose the 200+ year old towpath and wall which had been buried and lost back in the 1960s. The old brick towpath wall was restored where it was found in poor condition and rebuilt in several places with reclaimed heritage bricks where the towpath wall had been lost. A significant section of rustic retaining wall was built to the rear of the towpath and the existing ramp access from the London Road bridge had to be extended to tie in with the alignment of the towpath.
The canal channel along this section has been excavated and the surplus soil
material will be moved next year to other parts of the site.
Pending completion of the remaining narrow canal channel and towpath along the
rear of the retail shops, we have created a temporary 'causeway' across the canal
channel which gives good access from the Nature Trail onto the restored Heritage
Towpath Trail.
Another milestone achievement in the restoration of the Lichfield Canal for the
community. Well done to our volunteer team.
Peter Buck
