Those of you who came to our AGM in the summer saw the presentation by Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV) about the work they will be carrying out for us as part of the HS2 works.
Sadly, the route of HS2 clashes with our Cappers Lane Bridge built in 2005/6 using ERDF funding… so the bridge will have to go.
On the plus side HS2 is giving more than it’s taking away. As part of the work, Cappers Lane will be diverted to the North and back down again and the Lichfield Canal will also have a slight diversion. Balfour Beatty Vinci will carry out this work for us. This means a new Cappers Lane bridge and a new section of water-ready canal from the diverted point to just south of the new HS2 viaduct.
All of this will be carried out between 2023 and 2025.
(Updated November 2023: work is now expected to be resumed in 2027.)
From the end of the current work at Darnford Moors to the new winding hole is a distance of only around 150 yards. The Trust has purchased the line of the canal from here onwards, including Lock 30, but agreement will need to be reached with neighbouring land owners before this section can be reopened. It may be necessary to resite Lock 30 slightly above its current location towards the new lift bridge.
