Restored Uttoxeter Canal basin damaged by floods

Flooding, overflowing from a blocked culvert, has damaged the recently restored first basin of the Uttoxeter Canal.

Torrential rain in the Staffordshire Moorlands during the first week in December meant British Waterways water control staff were out through the night managing the reservoirs and sluices of the Caldon Canal to ensure safe levels and conditions were maintained. Meanwhile at Froghall a culvert carrying the Shirley Brook, managed by the County Council, became blocked and water swept across the Froghall Wharf picnic site, flooded the adjacent road and cascaded into the mooring basin.

Boat ropes had to be cut in haste to enable those moored in the basin to escape the rising water which was able to overflow the canal basin into streams feeding the nearby River Churnet.

Ramps and paths that provide access for all around the basin have been washed away, along with a wildlife pond constructed during the restoration of the basin and the lock connecting it to the Caldon Canal. Debris from the paths and also washed off the nearby car park has been deposited into the basin, amidst the mooring pontoons.

Volunteers from the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust who worked on the popular rural regeneration project were on site at first light to survey the scene and quickly briefed local MP Charlotte Atkins on the damage in readiness for the Parliamentary debate that took place on 11th December 2007 on the future funding of canals in the UK.

British Waterways Wales & Border Counties are still to prepare a plan of action to remedy the damage and all pedestrian access around the basin remains closed. (Boats are still able to use the first lock of the Uttoxeter Canal and enter the basin, and are using the mooring pontoons.)