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Authorities have estimated that the restoration of a collapsed section of the Llangollen Canal in Whitchurch, Shropshire, may extend through most of 2026. The damage followed a breach on 22 December, as revealed by recent aerial footage displaying extensive destruction to both the canal embankment and its bed. The breach resulted in two narrowboats sinking into a deep trench formed by the escaping water, while a third boat remained precariously balanced on the edge. Many other boats in the area were left stranded as a result of the incident.
Julie Sharman, the chief operating officer of the Canal and River Trust, explained that engineers are still investigating the exact cause of this “catastrophic” failure. Sharman noted the complexity involved in assessing earth structures, stating, “Sometimes [the cause is] not definitive.” She emphasized the nature of embankment breaches, describing how “when you get a water path through an embankment it unravels as it goes and then it gets quite catastrophic as we can see here and the damage is significant.”
To contain the damage, two dams have been constructed to isolate the damaged canal section. Many of the grounded boats have since been refloated, with efforts now focused on retrieving the two narrowboats at the bottom of the trench. Ms Sharman mentioned plans to construct a ramp, enabling the boats to be towed out for assessment. Among these vessels, the narrowboat named Sefton reportedly suffered severe flooding, likely due to open doors during the collapse, whereas the Ganymede is expected to remain in “pretty good condition” without signs of water ingress.
One of the boats that had been left hanging on the edge, the Pacemaker, was winched to safety and is anticipated to be refloated soon for evaluation at a marina. Its owner, Paul Stowe, recounted his family’s harrowing escape when their boat began to list early on 22 December. He described it as “the most terrifying experience of my life,” highlighting how the ground opened beneath them, leaving them hanging over a 40-meter-deep hole. Since the incident, Mr. Stowe has expressed gratitude for the outpouring of community support, which has included offers ranging from holiday villas to gifts for their cats. Over £100,000 has been raised to assist those affected by the collapse.
Following the boat recoveries, attention will move towards repairing the embankment and canal. Ms Sharman outlined the process: first, removing waste materials that cannot be reused, then gradually cutting back the damaged area’s edges in steps. New, high-quality materials will be brought in for rebuilding, with careful compaction to ensure structural stability. The canal section will also likely be relined with an impermeable layer. While reopening the canal is hoped for later in the year, the project will remain a challenging and costly endeavor stretching into 2026
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