A £50,000 project has seen a deteriorating safety gate on the Shropshire Union Canal at Knighton make way for a handcrafted replacement.
The Canal & River Trust carried out the work at the historic wharf in June, replacing the ageing gate with one made in the charity’s specialist workshop.
Between 1911 and 1961, Cadbury’s used Knighton Wharf and associated buildings to process local milk into ‘chocolate crumb’, which was then transported by boat to Cadbury’s in Bournville along the canal. The safety gate plays a vital role in protecting the canal and neighbours in the event of emergencies.
At about 35 years of age, the old gate was showing signs of deterioration, so the CRT replaced it for the safety of the area. The canal remained open throughout the works.
Adam Bannister, construction manager at the trust, said: “Knighton Wharf has a fascinating history and shows how the canals played a role in the success of some of our most iconic companies. And we’re still using traditional techniques to safeguard this important heritage; we’ve handcrafted the replacement gate out of green oak in our specialist workshop.
“The trust is committed to keeping these canals safe and available for boaters, visitors and neighbouring communities. Our canals are in constant use, open to the elements day in, day out, and time is taking its toll, compounded by the increase in extreme weather caused by climate change.”
