Whenever a derelict canal is to be restored, the first practical job is to clear out and remove the growth of trees, bushes etc. which have grown up during the period when the canal was neglected. In the case of the Wey & Arun Canal the period of neglect had been well over a century.
Many of the original brick arch accommodation bridges had been allowed to decay and some had been demolished. A number of the locks which had survived, now had mature trees growing out from the chamber walls. Parts of the canal bed had been filled in and that which had escaped, was now completely overgrown.
The fascinating story of the work the Trust has undertaken over the last 50 years is shown in wonderful "then & now" pictures presented at the 2023 AGM by Mark Feeney, MWWP chainsaw & heavy lifting team and Lorraine Feeney, his long suffering wife and WACT digital archivist.
Click here to view the presentation
Recent images of work taking place at key restoration sites are shown below as slideshows. Click on one of these to see more pictures.
An overview of the restoration work taking place on the canal can be seen on the Restoration Map.
