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Collapsed canal to reopen in March, engineers hope

Chloe Hughesin Shropshire
News imageJacob King/Press Association A huge trench in a canal with no water in it. There are collapsed banks and mud everywhere. Two canal boats sit in the bottom of the hole. There are four workers in yellow and orange hi-vis clothing standing by one of the boats.Jacob King/Press Association
The collapse happened in the early hours of 22 December 2025

A canal that collapsed in Shropshire is expected to reopen next March, more than a year after two boats fell into the trench when millions of gallons of water rushed out.

A breach in Whitchurch, on 22 December 2025, saw a large section of Llangollen Canal give way, with a third boat left hanging over the edge. The water flowed into a nearby field.

In an update, the Canal & River Trust said the canal was "expected to reopen ahead of Easter, allowing businesses and visitors to benefit from the start of the main boating and tourism season".

In January Julie Sharman, chief operating officer of the trust, said it had hoped to reopen the canal at the end of 2026.

The trust said the next phase of construction would be to rebuild the collapsed embankment and canal channel.

Reinforced layers will be constructed to improve the embankment's long-term strength and resilience and help protect it against extreme weather and the effects of climate change.

In September, a new leak forced the temporary closure of a stretch of canal close to the collapse site.

The Whitchurch Waterway Trust (WWT) said the leak was thought to be from the canal to the south of the works.

News imageAndy Kelvin/Press Association An aerial photo of the canal collapse. There is a huge trench with no water in it, and mud everywhere. There is one canal boat teetering over the edge of the large trench, and two canal boats sitting at the bottom of it, partially submerged by mud. The mud and bottom of the canal has seemed through a treeline and there is a flooded field next to the canal.Andy Kelvin/Press Association
A report earlier this year said the breach was likely caused by a "deep-seated leak"

In March, a report revealed the collapse was likely caused by a "long-term deep-seated leak" and a "steep-sided, high embankment predominantly constructed of sand".

The trust said it was likely there was a leak beneath the canal bed that had been undetectable to its inspection regime.

Work completed on the site so far includes maintaining the flow of about 40 million litres of water - which is essential for navigation and also helps to supply fresh water to homes and businesses across Cheshire.

The embankment rebuild is due to be finished before Christmas, and a concreate base will be laid ahead of the construction of the new canal channel.

The next phase of work will take place after Christmas, the trust added.

"Businesses, boaters and local communities can have increased confidence of this popular canal being open from Easter 2027," said Campbell Robb, chief executive at the trust.

"While there remains a huge amount of work to do, this marks an important milestone in bringing the Llangollen Canal back stronger and more resilient for the future."

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