PRESS RELEASE
25 February 2013
CANAL & RIVER TRUST ‘INJECTS’ REPAIRS TO THE SPOUTHOUSE AQUEDUCT
The Canal & River Trust, the charity caring for the 2,000 miles of canals and rivers in England and
Wales, has begun a 30 day project to fix the leaking Spouthouse Aqueduct on the Tame Valley
Canal in Sandwell, West Midlands.
Built in 1844 the Grade II Listed aqueduct carries the canal over Spouthouse Lane and forms part
of the Birmingham Canal Navigations. Providing a gateway to the Black Country, the canals were
a key transport route to the midlands and a hub of activity during the Industrial Revolution with
many boats transporting goods such as coal and limestone. Today they are popular for boating,
walking and cycling and continue to play an important role in the life and economy of the area.
Repairs to Spouthouse Aqueduct will cost £120,000 and involve specialist teams drilling 150mm to
200mm deep holes along the edge of the towpath alongside the aqueduct before injecting them
with a resin. Once set, the resin should fill any small holes within the brickwork and prevent any
further leaks and water seeping out from the aqueduct onto Spouthouse Lane below.
Ian Lane, principle waterway engineer from the Canal & River Trust, said: “We have been closely
monitoring the problems at Spouthouse Aqueduct and have attempted a number of repairs over
the years to stop it leaking. This is a complex project, but we believe that the works we are doing
now will finally plug the leaks and help protect this 169-year old aqueduct for many years to come.”
“Over the next few months we will closely monitor the aqueduct to make sure these repairs have
been a success and that the leaks have stopped.”
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact Sarah Rudy on 01908 302584 / 07788 691 219 or email
sarah.rudy@canalrivertrust.org.uk
The Canal & River Trust is the guardian of 2,000 miles of historic waterways across England and
Wales. We are among the largest charities in the UK, maintaining the nation’s third largest
Canal & River Trust, Toll House, Delamere Terrace, London, W2 6ND
T 0203 3204 4429 E press.office@canalrivertrust.org.uk W www.canalrivertrust.org.uk Twitter @CanalRiverTrust
Patron: H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. Canal & River Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales
with company number 7807276 and registered charity number 1146792, registered office address: First Floor North, Station House, 500
Elder Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 1BB
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collection of Listed structures, as well as museums, archives, navigations and hundreds of
important wildlife sites.
We believe that our canals and rivers are a national treasure and a local haven for people and
wildlife. It is our job to care for this wonderful legacy – holding it in trust for the nation in perpetuity
and giving people a greater role in the running of their local waterways
www.canalrivertrust.org.uk