NATIONAL waterways charity Canal & River Trust is carrying out a detailed inspection of Preston Brook Tunnel near Warrington – one of the world’s oldest canal tunnels still in operation.
Engineers are surveying the 1,138-metre-long structure using a combination of traditional techniques and cutting-edge technology.
The work will start on Monday. August 18.
Built more than 250 years ago, the tunnel at Dutton dates from a period that transformed civil engineering. While tunnels had long been excavated for mining, the rapid expansion of Britain’s canal network drove the development of large-scale tunnelling techniques that helped shape the construction methods still used today.
To minimise disruption to boaters on the Trent & Mersey Canal, engineers are carrying out the inspection work overnight, allowing navigation through the tunnel to remain open during the day.
Engineers will travel through the tunnel by boat to assess any structural changes that may have occurred, including checking for cracks and damage to the brickwork. Specialist structural engineers will also carry out rope-access inspections of four air shafts and a construction shaft, measuring up to 17 metres deep.
The team will carry out a full hands-on inspection of the tunnel using poles, hammers and spikes, alongside hi-tech equipment including drone fly-through footage and 3D image mapping technology to build a comprehensive picture of the tunnel’s condition. Their observations and findings will then be analysed to determine whether any major repairs are required.
Construction of the tunnel began in 1766 under the direction of canal pioneer James Brindley, one of the foremost engineers of the Industrial Revolution. Following Brindley’s death, the project was completed by his student and fellow engineer Hugh Henshall in 1775.
Today, Preston Brook Tunnel has heritage status, with Grade II-listed portals and two air shafts.
As a charity, Canal & River Trust cares for 2,000 miles of historic canals and rivers across England and Wales. The ongoing maintenance of structures such as Preston Brook Tunnel is made possible through the support of donors, volunteers, boaters and local communities, helping to safeguard the nation’s waterways for future generations.
Peter Simpson, principal engineer (Tunnels & Culverts) at Canal & River Trust, said: “A trip through the tunnel is like stepping back in time. It’s amazing to think this tunnel was built by hand using pickaxes and shovels more than 250 years ago. It’s extremely atmospheric, but not many people get to see inside the tunnel because there is no towpath, so it can only be experienced by travelling through it by boat.
“Preston Brook is one of the oldest canal tunnels in the world still in use today. Long before railways and modern infrastructure projects, engineers such as James Brindley were pioneering tunnelling techniques that helped transform Britain and fuel the Industrial Revolution.
“The Trent & Mersey Canal is arguably more popular than ever before, and this crucial inspection is an example of the vital work our charity carries out to protect, maintain and repair the nation’s historic waterways. Looking after extraordinary structures such as Preston Brook Tunnel requires significant expertise and investment, and we’re grateful for the support of our volunteers, donors and supporters who help us preserve this remarkable heritage and keep it alive for people and nature to enjoy for generations to come.”
To find out more about the Trust and its vital work, visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk.
