SteveCourty Posted March 22, 2023 Report Share Posted March 22, 2023 I'm hoping to explore this soon and looking at the weather this weekend around my way I may head up for a few hours on Sunday if things stay the same. It looks like large sections aren't on footpaths yet from what I can find online. Can anyone point me in the direction of an accurate map showing where I can and can't go? Mainly on the Litchfield end From Huddlesford Junction to Fosseway Heath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springy Posted March 22, 2023 Report Share Posted March 22, 2023 (edited) Just had a look at LHCRT website they have a page of maps https://www.lhcrt.org.uk/lichfieldcanalmaps.htm but scrolling down I tried this and it looks to me to be pretty good, created by LHCRT but on google maps Green tracks are walking routes https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1R_5qDKweORBt6sTbMhjDXvA7lY8&ll=52.67701152186553%2C-1.7945866313497594&z=17 And there's a couple of Andy Tidy's episodes on you tube springy Edited March 22, 2023 by springy add andy tidy's stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheshire cat Posted March 22, 2023 Report Share Posted March 22, 2023 HS2 has messed up the Huddlesfoed end. Best start from Cappers Lane Bridge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveCourty Posted March 23, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2023 10 hours ago, springy said: Just had a look at LHCRT website they have a page of maps https://www.lhcrt.org.uk/lichfieldcanalmaps.htm but scrolling down I tried this and it looks to me to be pretty good, created by LHCRT but on google maps Green tracks are walking routes https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1R_5qDKweORBt6sTbMhjDXvA7lY8&ll=52.67701152186553%2C-1.7945866313497594&z=17 And there's a couple of Andy Tidy's episodes on you tube springy Thank you, I've subscribed and they've been very helpful piecing the sections together! On the maps it sys about the HS2 works meaning they aren't up to date. Also I know some sections have probably changed since they uploaded the maps. 10 hours ago, Cheshire cat said: HS2 has messed up the Huddlesfoed end. Best start from Cappers Lane Bridge Is that section being dug at the moment? I didn't think the work had started? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartland Posted March 23, 2023 Report Share Posted March 23, 2023 The diversionary works for the Lichfield is perhaps the most interesting as they make a new line of waterway around the south of Lichfield It is also worthwhile visiting the pools by the Cathedral as that is where Jame Brindley first looked at a canal. Some of the stained glass at the Cathedral was delivered by canal boat to the nearest wharf on the Wyrley & Essington Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Lowe Posted March 23, 2023 Report Share Posted March 23, 2023 2 hours ago, Heartland said: Some of the stained glass at the Cathedral was delivered by canal boat to the nearest wharf on the Wyrley & Essington The cathedral was also used by a sniper in the civil war The Sieges of Lichfield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveCourty Posted March 29, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2023 My first video on the Lichfield Canal. This is the Darnford Moors section which is a mixture of old and new cut and is very close to being in water. Have a look at an abandoned lock that's dug out on all sides, a really cool feature of the Ecology park. https://youtu.be/KdNKGSDr3VU 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartland Posted March 30, 2023 Report Share Posted March 30, 2023 This is a very instructive video that shows the present work on making the link between the Coventry Canal and Lichfield. It is a credit to the Lichfield & Hatherton Trust that they have continually persevered in this goal and it is remarkable what is now being accomplished as they follow in the footsteps of John Brawn the contractor who built the original waterway from Wolverhampton through to Huddlesford. There is a remarkable link to Steve Courty, in a fashion that it. The records of Brawns works held by the CRT mention that he had brought his contractors from a contract in Hampshire, which is presumed to be a canal or river navigation contract there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Lowe Posted March 30, 2023 Report Share Posted March 30, 2023 It's a shame that Churchbridge locks are now long lost and a new route is required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartland Posted March 30, 2023 Report Share Posted March 30, 2023 The Churchbridge Locks were lost through opencast mining. With modern technology and engineering a route similar might be conceived however the LHCT have long determined to use a shorter line to link the Hatherton Branch of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal with the BCN. How practical this scheme is, owning to the financial headwinds that popular press and the present transport secretary allude to, remains a matter of discussion and hopefully work will be concentrated on the section between Brownhills and Huddlesford. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Mack Posted March 30, 2023 Report Share Posted March 30, 2023 If the M6 hadn't blocked the Hatherton Branch 2 locks up from the junction, most of the branch would probably have been restored by now. It's all in water and used as a feeder, with just a few dropped bridges to contend with. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartland Posted March 31, 2023 Report Share Posted March 31, 2023 Yes the blockage proved a problem, but the Trust still has serious intentions for complete restoration as shown by their 2022 plan- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveCourty Posted April 1, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2023 Next up on the Lichfield canal from Darnford Park to Gallows Wharf including the interesting and unique lock 24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveCourty Posted April 2, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2023 On 31/03/2023 at 16:49, Heartland said: Yes the blockage proved a problem, but the Trust still has serious intentions for complete restoration as shown by their 2022 plan- I’m yet to explore the area but I’d like to in the summer, is there much in water? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveCourty Posted April 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2023 My latest video continues the walk along the length of the Lichfield canal. We have a look at the St John’s section and the plans for the new line of canal. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheshire cat Posted April 13, 2023 Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 Excellent videos. Very interesting. The eastern end at Huddlesford was put back in water in the early 1970's by members of Lichfield Cruising Club. Although there are still plenty of challenges ahead it's great to see the progress being made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveCourty Posted April 14, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2023 11 hours ago, Cheshire cat said: Excellent videos. Very interesting. The eastern end at Huddlesford was put back in water in the early 1970's by members of Lichfield Cruising Club. Although there are still plenty of challenges ahead it's great to see the progress being made. I’d hoped to be able to walk the section on a future video and promote the stretch and the club but they won’t allow me access. It’s a shame really but I’ll just do it via drone and walk as close as the footpath allows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveCourty Posted April 16, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2023 (edited) My latest video on the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust and the fantastic work they are doing at Fosseway Heath Nature Reserve and Wetlands enjoy! https://youtu.be/ZN-BX7-J3js Edited April 16, 2023 by SteveCourty 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveCourty Posted July 30, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2023 I spent some time on the Lichfield canal last week seeing how the HS2 site and the various projects along the canal are going. It’s looking good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveCourty Posted September 16, 2023 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2023 The aqueduct to nowhere on the Lichfield Canal and the M6 Toll, what’s it all about? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveCourty Posted November 25, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 What’s happening at Darnford Moors and HS2? You’ll have to watch to find out! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Lowe Posted November 25, 2023 Report Share Posted November 25, 2023 Good stuff Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveCourty Posted December 2, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2023 Lock 24 on the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals an amazing bit of history with a very different future 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveCourty Posted April 20 Author Report Share Posted April 20 Darnford moors is finally open! Robbie Cumming features in the opening, a lovely chap and it was a pleasure to meet him. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartland Posted Tuesday at 13:58 Report Share Posted Tuesday at 13:58 This is a video that shows the restoration progressing toward the Coventry Canal. It would appear that the New Cappers Lane Bridge will not be finished until 2027, but will there be a link through from the Coventry Canal to Lichfield and that when it happens will be a watershed moment 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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