2003/4 saw the Forestry Team in attendance on a new project working on the Uttoxeter branch
of the Caldon Canal at Froghall. The Forestry team worked under the watchful eye of British
Waterways alongside the volunteers from the Caldon Canal Society on clearing an unused basin
to enable boats at a date much in the future to enter via a currently filled in lock and to moor.
This work involved us in identifying trees which would need to be removed, gaining Tree Officer
permissions and ultimately a felling licence with future work planned in the area.
Habitat piles were a must working in a conservation area with a countryside Warden anxious to
maintain wildlife levels.
After permission was received for felling, the work was planned to span a number of weekends with a total of 42 trees being removed in conjunction with other Waterway Recovery Groups - North West, London and KESCRG (Kent & East Sussex Canal Restoration Group). The initial volunteer work on this project spanned just a year from start to finish, with paid professionals moving on to site later in 2004 to begin dredging and bank repairs.
Click here for the Caldon Canal Society home page
The Destination Froghall project was finished in July 2005 with an opening ceremony including the first boat through the lock.
