On 9th December, Keith Langston of "Towpath Talk" visited Nantwich Aqueduct, which carries the Shropshire Union Canal over Chester Road, Nantwich.
Nantwich Aqueduct, which carries the Shroppie over the A534 Chester Road just on the outskirts of Nantwich, is a Grade II listed building, but such a title does not it seems guarantee a duty of care on the part of the owners.
British Waterways are the custodians of 2739 listed buildings and structures, this particular piece of inland waterway history would surly be in the running for the title of 'Least Cared For'. Is this example of creeping dereliction a tangible indicator of things to come?
Politicians please note it is 'Our' heritage that you are putting at risk. Perchance BW would be happy to instruct contractors to put this classic structure back in good order, if only they had the funds to do so.
Do you know of another British Waterways listed structure which has also been let fall into severe disrepair? If so please use the 'Contact us' facility on this site to bring it to everyone's attention.
This page shows a series of Nantwich Aqueduct images taken on Sunday 9th December 2007.
It is not possible to say with certainty whether the obvious visual evidence of decay will translate into proof of serious physical deterioration. However what the pictures do highlight is a cause for concern and an insult to the memory of a great British engineer!.
Nantwich Aqueduct is graded as C (fair) on BW's list of Principle Assets.
Let us hear your thoughts about this on our blog.
On 18th December, BW issued the following statement:
"Our asset management team recently took another look at Nantwich Aqueduct and confirmed its C-rating on our principal asset list. This does not mean that the structure is in "good" condition or that no works are needed on it, but it does mean that it has been assessed by qualified engineers as structurally sound. We have a long list of works needed across the network but have to prioritise those structures (Ds and Es) in urgent need of repair due to likelihood of failure. As ever there are no easy decisions about how we allocate finite funds, which is why we have to prioritise urgent works."
Keith Langston comments:
As the decay of the fabric of this structure is visually obvious, even to the unpractised eye, it serves to highlight the problems BW must have accrueing elsewhere within their estate. We will continue to monitor this and other structures during the coming winter months. Does BW's understanding of 'structuraly sound' in this instance mean that the integrity of the canal is such that water is unlikely to flood onto the roadway below? However it may be that there could be a future risk to pedestrians and vehicles from falling masonry if severe winter weather causes frost damage, etc. The pictorial examination of this structure was undertaken to ascertain what 'C' condition on the Principal Asset List means in practical terms. From the comments received from BW we should all now be much wiser.
Let us hear your thoughts about this on our blog.