Recovery operation underway after Whitchurch Canal breach

A specialist recovery operation is continuing following the embankment failure of the canal near New Mills Lift Bridge in Whitchurch which left boaters stranded and a vessel teetering on the edge of a precipice.

The breach, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, 22 December, saw a section of the canal bank give way, sending a torrent of water into the surrounding landscape. The incident has been described as "heartbreaking" for the local boating community, with online footage capturing the moment two narrowboats were swept into the resulting breach hole.

A Narrow Escape

As the canal bed drained, a further two vessels were left in precarious positions. One boat, named Pacemaker, was left partially overhanging the edge of the breach. Overnight, engineers successfully hauled the vessel to safety using a massive, five-metre-long heavy-duty tracked winch.

Six other boats that had been grounded on the dry canal bed are also beginning to refloat this morning. Following the installation of temporary dams on 23 December, water levels started to recover at 6 am today.

The Scale of the Incident

The Canal & River Trust has confirmed that the breach has caused significant damage, with a lengthy and costly repair project now looming.

Current Situation at New Mills:

Two boats remain inside the breach hole awaiting recovery.

Six boats are currently refloating as water levels rise.

One boat (Pacemaker) successfully winched to safety.

Temporary dams in place to isolate the damaged section.

"A Rare but Costly Disaster"

Campbell Robb, Chief Executive of the Canal & River Trust, praised the emergency response but warned of a difficult road ahead.

"Now the initial emergency response, including the concern for boaters’ immediate safety, has passed, our teams have been working hard to refill the canal," Mr Robb said. "We are delighted to have been able to recover narrowboat Pacemaker from the edge of the breach overnight."

He added: "Thankfully, breaches of this scale are relatively rare, but, when they do occur, they’re expensive and complicated to fix. Our engineers are continuing their investigations into why the canal embankment was undermined."

Next Steps for Repairs

The Trust confirmed that the embankment had been subject to regular, routine inspections by specialist engineers prior to the failure.

Investigations into the cause of the collapse will continue into the New Year, alongside the complex task of retrieving the two vessels still trapped in the breach.

Working in partnership with Shropshire Council, the Trust has provided emergency accommodation and support for the affected boaters and their pets.

For now, navigation remains closed as the charity prepares for the "huge and likely lengthy" task of rebuilding the historic waterway.