Droitwich Canals Restoration

With your help we can restore a piece of Worcestershire's history.

The Droitwich Barge Canal and the Droitwich Junction Canal were constructed in the 18th century to transport the town's salt to a wider market. The Barge Canal was one of the first canals built in England in 1771 and the Junction Canal was one of the last (built 1854), yet despite their impact and significance they were officially closed in 1939 and now lie abandoned.

By restoring the two historic waterways we will create a 7.5 mile (12km) canal linking the Worcester & Birmingham Canal with the River Severn.

So far we have raised £350,000 towards our £1 million target!

The restored waterways will also create a 21 mile cruising ring in Worcestershire, with walks, cycle routes, picnic sites, play areas and information and interpretation points.

There will be plenty for both people and wildlife too with:

• new and sustainable habitats to ensure the survival of species such as the otter and the reed warbler.
• new education resources to make it easier for local schools children to learn about and enjoy the canal
• a new canoe launch will mean more people can make use of the waterway
• new routes for cyclists and walkers along the towpaths
• new fishing pegs for anglers
• restoration of 200 year old locks and other heritage structures.

With your help, we can make this vision a reality.

Be part of it!

Many organisations have been working hard to raise the funding needed for the restoration. £10.5 million has already been secured but to 'unlock' this, we need to raise a further £1 million. This means that every gift that we receive will unlock ten times that amount from other sources. So a gift of £43.47 to restore ½ a metre of the canal will in fact be a donation worth £434.70

Make a donation to the restoration appeal and you too will be part of this historic project.

11,500 metres of canal need to be restored, with a target of £1 million this means that each metre will cost £86.95. If you help us to secure a metre of canal, we will commemorate your support on a special plaque mounted on a 'Brindley' post in Vines Park.

The Barge Canal was built by James Brindley, one of the founding fathers of canal design: like Brindley, you too can leave your mark on Droitwich's famous canals.

To make a secure on-line donation click here, alternatively call 0854 0700 710.

Restoration Latest

• Planning Awarded in Full
  Final planning approval was granted at the end of January following the submission of otter surveys and an otter management plan.

• Nurturing the next generation of engineers!
  Education weeks are again being planned for this summer. This year we’ll be taking advantage of the start of engineering works by offering school’s visits to construction sites such as the Junction Canal and the A449.

• Get Stuck In!
  Volunteers helped make the first of our hedge laying sessions a real success recently, spending four days thinning and siding to create one hundred metres of these beautifully managed, natural boundaries.

  Volunteers from the Worcestershire Industrial Archaeology and Local History Society have started recording all the heritage structures along the canals. This will document all of the canal structures as well as some associated structures along the corridor. Recording involves photography, taking measurements and putting together a written description of the structures to identify things like the different ages of the structures (different brickwork etc.) and specific evidence of use and restoration. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Lucy Bowles on 01452 318502

• Looking forward...
  During the Spring months work will begin on the area of canal around the M5, including the construction of a new lock into the River Salwarpe. Volunteers will start work on the Barge Lock in early summer. Work on the new cut will also start in early summer.

Droitwich Canals Partnership

The restoration project is being led by the Droitwich Canals Partnership which consists of The Waterways Trust, British Waterways, Worcestershire County Council, Wychavon District Council and Droitwich Canals Trust.

For technical information regarding the restoration project and maps please visit the British Waterways website.