Stratford aqueducts spend their lottery winnings

The southern Stratford Canal's three historic aqueducts are being lovingly restored thanks to a £500,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

• At 146 metres long and 12 metres high, **Edstone

Aqueduct** is the longest aqueduct in England. It was built
in 1814 and carries the canal over a road, railway lines, a small
river and meadows.

• Wootton Wawen Aqueduct was built in 1813

and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. It has had many structural
alterations due to damage caused by being hit by
vehicles.

• The original Yarningale Aqueduct was

built between 1812 and 1816 but following a flood in 1834 the
aqueduct was washed away. Amazingly it was replaced in just 26
days!

The total value of the project is worth £1.2 million, and the confirmation of funding from the HLF will ensure the full restoration of all three aqueducts to almost new condition.

The programme of works includes major brickwork and masonry repairs, the installation of new watertight trough joints to prevent water leaking from the aqueduct as well as repairs and painting of the iron work. The skills needed to carry out these works are taught to both British Waterways and Morrison employees at the British Waterways Heritage Skills Training Centre in Hatton. Employees learn how to use 200 year old traditional building skills and materials to restore, preserve and conserve the thousands of historic buildings and structures owned by British Waterways. Courses include historic metalwork, brick repairs and re-pointing, masonry repairs, lime mortars and lime rendering.

Jonathan Green, British Waterways’ Waterway Manager explained: "The three aqueducts project is a very demanding and time-consuming project to work on. Because we want to restore the structures as close to original condition as possible, we will be using 200 year old techniques and materials to carry out the programme of works on all three aqueducts."

There will also be new car parks with improved access and signage, making the aqueducts easier to visit - as well as an extensive events and education programme to involve communities local to the aqueducts over the next 18 months. Activities currently being planned include a community arts project, a series of guided walks by archaeologists, engineers and bat experts and a heritage open weekend to celebrate the project.