Our volunteers help restore historic Harecastle Tunnel ahead of 250th anniversary

History of Harecastle Tunnel

Constructed under the direction of pioneering canal engineer James Brindley, the tunnel was a landmark achievement of the early Industrial Revolution, dramatically improving the movement of goods between the Potteries, the Midlands, and the Port of Liverpool.

Its creation helped transform Staffordshire into a centre of industrial innovation, and it remains one of the county’s most recognisable engineering landmarks. The project focuses on the James Brindley side of the tunnel portal in Kidsgrove, which is the original entrance to the first Harecastle Tunnel built in 1777.

The restoration work

The restoration work has been made possible thanks to generous support from local civil engineering company CPC Civils, which has donated £5,800 towards the cost of the specialist scaffolding required to safely carry out the repairs. The contribution is helping our volunteers and conservation specialists access the historic structure and undertake the work needed to preserve it for future generations.

Working from the scaffolding our volunteers will use hand tools to remove the wall‑grown vegetation to reveal the portal’s original brickwork. Where possible, native canal plants such as spleenwort and hart’s‑tongue ferns will be removed and replanted elsewhere along the canal.

These plant species are typical of damp, shaded brick and stone structures on historic waterways and, although small, contribute to local biodiversity by providing valuable habitat for insects and other wildlife. Relocating them will help preserve the ecological character of the canal.

The volunteers will then carry out small masonry repairs and repointing using traditional lime‑based materials, finished with a coat of limewash to help protect the masonry just as the tunnel was originally built.

This restoration forms part of the wider Staffordshire Waterways Celebration for 2027, a county‑wide programme marking 250 years since the completion of the Trent & Mersey and Caldon canals.

Events across Staffordshire will highlight the role of canals in shaping the region’s industrial heritage, its communities, and its landscape, while also offering a chance to reflect on the ingenuity of its creators, including Brindley and later Thomas Telford, whilst also celebrating the volunteers, local businesses, and communities who continue to care for it today.

An iconic structure

Henriette Breukelaar, our director for the West Midlands, said: “Harecastle Tunnel is one of the most iconic structures on the Trent & Mersey Canal, and restoring the Brindley portal is a great way to kick‑start the county’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

“This project brings people together to protect an important piece of engineering history while learning the traditional skills that keep our heritage alive. We’re incredibly grateful to CPC Civils for their support, which has made this specialist conservation work possible. The enthusiasm from volunteers has been fantastic, and we’re proud to support Staffordshire’s Waterways Celebration programme.

“It’s great to see local people getting involved in their canal. Whether you want to learn new skills, support your community, or simply help look after a much‑loved local landmark, we’d be delighted to welcome more volunteers to the team.”