Droitwich Canals Restoration

The project in brief

The project is restoring 12km of waterway linking the Droitwich Canals to the River Severn at Hawford and the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Droitwich. This includes the restoration of

• 12 locks and the construction of 4 new locks
• 1km of new cut & 500m is canalised river
• 1 major bridge construction under the A449
• Creation of offline reedbed to replace those removed from the channel

The project is re-linking the Junction Canal and the Barge Canal, a navigation that was officially abandoned in 1939. This will create a 21 mile cruising ring that will also take in the Worcester and Birmingham Canal and River Severn. It will also provide education resources and visits, volunteering and training opportunities, circular walks and improved access to the towpath. The canals are being restored for local people, cyclists, fishermen, boaters and walkers alike with an estimated additional 322,000 visitor days.

Restoration Costs

The overall project cost is £11.5m total cost - with major contributions from The Heritage Lottery Fund, Advantage West Midlands, Worcestershire County Council and Wychavon District Council and British Waterways
Biffa, Welcome to our Future, Big Lottery and The Cadbury Trusts are among other funders that have contributed to specific aspects of the restoration.

Appeal

Local, national and corporate appeals have been successful in raising money for many aspects of the project, with the restoration of Barge Lock successfully completed as a major milestone in the project and funded by an appeal.

There is still a funding gap of £300,000. In order to fill this gap and 'do your bit' for the Droitwich Canals, follow this link to The Waterways Trust website and donate today.

Who's doing what?

The restoration is being delivered by a partnership of 5 organisations that came together in 2000 and since that time have been working to secure the funding, land and permissions for the main restoration.

The Droitwich Canals are owned by Wychavon District Council at present and managed by the Droitwich Canals Trust. British Waterways is managing the restoration work and the canals will pass to British Waterways once they are completed. The Waterways Trust is leading on the fundraising for the project and Worcestershire County Council and Wychavon District Council are assisting with advising and delivering the restoration projects.