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Birtley

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Home » Birtley

Birtley, near Bramley in Surrey, has been the focus of activity after the Trust was able to acquire a 900-metre stretch of abandoned canal in 2018 thanks to the generosity of an overseas member.

The ambition is to fully restore this picturesque section with the first phase involving the creation a new canalside walk and the first of two lift bridges (Birtley Bridge 1).

Work began in earnest in summer 2019. Visiting working parties and volunteers fenced off the adjacent farmland and created an access track, along with tackling fallen trees and overgrown vegetation.

A 300-metre length of three metre-wide surfaced towpath was added, and 350m of canal cleared.

In 2019 three weeks of Waterway Recovery Group Summer Canal Camps, along with the Trust's own working parties, completed the foundations and abutments of Birtley Bridge 1.

In 2022 volunteers put the finishing touches to a temporary bridge deck, as well as installing three new gates, allowing the public safe access to the circular walk.

The temporary deck will be replaced in due course. Planning permission for a second lift bridge (Birtley Bridge 2) has been granted and we are working to get a design approved in principle for lifting bridges, which will then be used for Birtley Bridges 1 and 2.

Birtley Bridge 2 will replace an existing bridge but a gas main obstructs the area and discussions are underway with the gas company to divert this so work on the bridge can begin. The causeway also needs to be removed, and more fencing installed for the section north of the second bridge.

Completed Birtley Bridge 1
Credits: . - 23 October 2021
Installation of temporary bridge
Credits: Roger Beazer - 15 June 2021
Installation of temporary bridge
Credits: Roger Beazer - 15 June 2021
Installation of temporary bridge
Credits: Roger Beazer - 11 June 2021
Installation of temporary bridge
Credits: Roger Beazer - 11 June 2021
Completed temporary bridge deck. This will be fitted in place next year
Credits: Gill Davies - 20 October 2020
Northern Working Party Group constructing temporary bridge deck
Credits: Gill Davies - 20 October 2020
The completed bridge base.
Credits: Gill Davies - 5 November 2019
Completing the brickwork and copings
Credits: . - 19 October 2019
Birtley Bridge Summer Camp week 3: considerable progress has been made after three weeks of concentrated effort.
Credits: Julian Morgan - 26 July 2019

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