We're holding a public engagement event on 1 October so local people can find out more about the repairs.
The work
Timber props installed in the 1970s across the canal between West Street Bridge and Albert Street Bridge had become rotten, leading to the closure of the towpath and navigation while investigation works took place. We will be removing these timber props, which do not provide any critical support, and will be reusing the timber to create a terraced flower bed on site.
The work will also involve installing remote monitoring equipment to measure for any movement on the walls of the cutting, clearing overgrowing vegetation along the towpath, and drilling additional ‘weep holes’ into the walls to prevent the potential build-up of groundwater pressure.
A public engagement event will be held on Tuesday 1 October between 3pm and 5pm with representatives from the Trust who will be able to talk about the upcoming works. This is taking place on the canal towpath around 80 metres south of Albert Street Bridge.
Work is due to begin in mid-October and is estimated to be finished in six weeks. Once completed, the towpath and canal will be reopened for public use, allowing people to walk along the canal through Bridgwater towards Bridgwater Docks, and enabling boats to navigate the canal.
A popular place for locals
Ben Carroll, our project manager, said: “The Bridgwater & Taunton Canal is a popular place for locals and visitors to spend time, both on and off the water. As well as reopening the towpath and canal, these works will make this stretch a safer and more pleasant place to spend time.
“We are inviting members of the public to join us to find out more about what the improvements are going to involve and to discover more about our work as a charity to keep canals alive.”
The Bridgwater & Taunton Canal stretches over 14-and-a-half miles between Bridgwater and Taunton, and earlier this year celebrated the 30th anniversary of its reopening.
