IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch

Our branch is working to improve the Cheshire Flight of 26 locks which raises the Trent & Mersey Canal from the Cheshire Plain at Wheelock to its summit at Kidsgrove. This project is a partnership between our Branch and the Trent & Mersey Canal Society. Monthly work parties take place. Tasks include clearing vegetation from walls and bridges, removing weeds and grass from cobble setts and painting handrails, balance beams and bollards.

Our branch is supporting the work of the Burslem Port Trust in campaigning to re-open the 3/8 mile Burslem Branch Canal in Stoke-on-Trent. This project is seen as a catalyst for the regeneration of Middleport. Historic features of the canal, which closed in 1961 following a breach, can still be seen and a project to uncover the line of the canal revealed more details than have been seen for many years. Monthly work parties are held on the arm.

The last half mile of the canal to Leek was filled in back in 1957. Only shorter boats can turn at the current terminus which means many don’t visit at all. The branch is campaigning for dredging, improved moorings and facilities to encourage people to moor up and visit the market town of Leek. The branch nominated the end of the canal as an IWA Silver Propeller Challenge location to encourage more boats to visit it.

Froghall Tunnel’s restricted headroom means that some boats are unable to pass through it. Working in partnership with the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust, the Branch is exploring potential solutions to enable more boats to reach the restored top lock and basin of the Uttoxeter Canal on the other side of the tunnel. The branch nominated the end of the canal as an IWA Silver Propeller Challenge location to encourage more boats to visit it.