Finding out about the project
Hosted by Stephen Higham, our partnerships & external relationships manager for the West Midlands, Karen Bradley met members of the project team to find out more about the project and the important social, economic and environmental benefits canals are delivering in her constituency.
The Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP says: “I was really pleased to see the work to reinstate the bridge at Longsdon. The Canal & River Trust do such good work to maintain the waterways and it was great to hear about this project and the other work they are doing. The canals are a really important asset in the Moorlands and it is good to know that they are in safe hands.”
Unlocking environmental and wellbeing benefits
Stephen Higham explains: “We were delighted to welcome Karen Bradley to the Caldon Canal today, to show her the project that is underway to rebuild the historic Grade II listed Hazelhurst Bridge, and to explain more about the work the Trust is doing to unlock the environmental and wellbeing benefits that waterways are providing communities across England and Wales.
“Fourteen miles of waterway run through Karen Bradley's constituency, and she was particularly interested to hear about the work of the Trust to support biodiversity, active travel, and protecting and preserving our historic canals as a place for millions of people to connect with nature.”
About the project
Work began in August to rebuild Hazelhurst Bridge, and the project is expected to be completed in August 2023. The bridge, which was irreparably damaged in March 2020 is being rebuilt in the spirit of the former structure, matching its former location, form, scale, and character, including using many of the original stone copings.
