Droitwich Canals
One narrow, one broad, the Droitwich Canals could well be Britain's next canal reopenings.
When fully restored, the Droitwich Canals will provide a new link between the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and the upper reaches of the Severn Navigation, forming a cruising ring of around 22 miles. The 'Mid-Worcestershire Ring' will enable boaters to discover the cathedral city of Worcester, a river navigation, one broad canal and two narrow canals all in the space of one weekend's cruising.
The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded a multi-million pound grant to complete the work. Local councils and British Waterways are backing the restoration, which continues to be promoted by the local Droitwich Canals Trust.
The wide-beam Droitwich Barge Canal was opened in 1771, and like many of the most important canals, was built by James Brindley. At six miles long, it linked the centre of Droitwich with the navigable River Severn six miles away. Its primary purpose was transportation of salt, a booming production at this time.
Much of the Droitwich Barge Canal has been restored in recent decades, and is available for small craft to use. The major blockage is the A449 dual carriageway, which crosses the canal with no provision for navigation. Otherwise, there are comparatively few obstacles to restoration. The canal towpath can be walked with ease.
The narrow Droitwich Junction Canal of 1854, one of the last canals of the narrow canal age, continued the route from Droitwich through to the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Hanbury. (Hanbury is said to be the inspiration for Ambridge in Radio 4's The Archers, and indeed, keen listeners will occasionally hear references to a partly navigable canal on the programme.)
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