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The recent collapse of a canal embankment near Whitchurch has had a profound impact on the local boating community and businesses reliant on the waterways. This dramatic event created a large hole that swallowed two narrowboats and left another precariously balanced on the edge. The damage has stranded numerous liveaboard residents and disrupted an important tourist route, with repairs projected to take several months to complete.
Paul Donnelly, who runs Floating Holidays— a narrowboat hire business based in Middlewich, Cheshire—shared his concerns about the consequences of the collapse for his company. He emphasized that the region is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts, many of whom come specifically to experience the Llangollen Canal and the famed Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Donnelly highlighted that the incident would likely lead to a significant decline in bookings, as customers seek other locations or postpone trips altogether.
The challenges faced by the canal community are compounded by additional setbacks earlier this year, such as the closure of the Anderton Boat Lift and a breach on the Bridgewater Canal. Donnelly explained that these issues have reduced the options available for boaters eager to explore different routes. In addition, the Canal & River Trust (CRT) announced that approximately 1.6 kilometers of waterway has been drained between Whitchurch and Grindley Brook. CRT representatives noted that the priority is to ensure safety and provide support to those affected, but assessments and reconstruction efforts could extend for several months due to the remote and difficult-to-access location.
Among those displaced by the collapse is Paul Stowe, a resident from Solihull, who with his family and two cats has lost their home aboard their narrowboat. Speaking about the personal toll of the incident, Stowe expressed uncertainty about returning to life on the water or even ever boating again. Despite the hardships, Paul Donnelly remarked on the solidarity within the canal community, recalling how those affected have come together in the past to face challenges such as droughts and infrastructure failures, often supporting each other through difficult times. He also mentioned that his business is prepared to offer boats for accommodation to those in need during this period of disruption
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