Minerva Wharf, Wolverhampton, Old Main Line

We are sorry for the lateness of this update.

Contractors will be undertaking the works to clear the channel of debris on Monday. We are expecting to have the canal re-opened to navigation by Friday 31st March.

The team will be on site next week to check on the progress, and we will provide updates as soon as we receive them.

We are currently waiting for the demolition contractor to begin dredging works. This is required before opening navigation, as the debris would affect boater safety.

The towpath will need to remain closed as the dredging operations progress.

We expect this work to be completed by the end of March, and are therefore aiming to open navigation by then.

We aim to provide another update, including a re-opening date, by the 21st March.

We are hoping to get both navigation and towpath open again in 3 weeks time.

We are just waiting for our contractors to confirm the dates. We will update the notice as soon as we receive this.

We're pleased to let you know that works have now started on demolishing the fire-damaged wall next to the towpath, and we're expecting it to take between 2 and 4 weeks for the contractors to make this safe and get the towpath clear and reopened.

We're working closely with the authorities involved to bring forward dredging of material in the canal, and hope to have more news on a date for reopening to navigation soon.

An update will be provided as soon as we have it, and certainly by 20th January.

The navigation and towpath remain closed between Horseley Fields Junction and Cable Bridge on the Old Main Line. Please be assured we have works ongoing throughout the Christmas period to make the site safe again.

We would like to remind boaters that navigation is still possible from Wolverhampton to Birmingham via Walsall.

While we don't have a definite date for re-opening navigation, we will aim to provide another update the first week of January.

Thank you for your patience.

Both the navigation and towpath remain closed between Horseley Fields Junction and Cable Bridge in Wolverhampton.  Barriers are in place across the towpath and the navigation to keep people safe. What remains of the factory is very unstable and in danger of collapse.  A significant amount of debris is covering the towpath and part of the navigation. 

Although water oxygen levels are improving, they remain lower than normal and we are trying to assess whether any pollutants have entered the water.  A demolition contractor is being brought in to make the building safe and bring down the remainder of the wall.  These contractors will then help to clear the towpath and navigation of fallen debris. 

Thank you for your patience to date, please bear with us while this important recovery work continues.  If your journey is urgent, please take one of the alternative routes between Wolverhampton and Birmingham.  As soon as we know when the navigation and towpath will be able to be reopened, we will let you know.

The Police and Fire Service remain in attendance, but have the situation under control.  As a result, we're able to reopen navigation on the Wyrley & Essington and the Old Mainline north of Horseley Fields Junction.

Efforts continue to make the area south of the junction safe, so canal and towpath here need to remain closed for the present.  Thank you for your patience; we'll provide further updates as we get them

A wall has collapsed which will affect the towpath and canal.

We will advise further detail when we have more information.