Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (LHCRT) has been awarded £200,000 in Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding from Lichfield District Council.
This contribution will support the delivery of Phase 2 of the Gallows Reach canal restoration project - a transformative step in restoring the Lichfield Canal.
The Community Infrastructure Levy is charged on new developments and funds infrastructure improvements across the district. The council allocates the funds to projects that provide lasting benefits to the Lichfield area.
The CIL funding will enable the dedicated LHCRT volunteers to deliver phase 2 of the Gallows Reach project, which will link the section from Gallows Wharf to the footpath between Tamworth Road and Longbridge Road.
The funding will cover essential materials for the 225-metre stretch of canal, including sheet piling for the sides and a watertight lining for the canal bed.
The restoration of Gallows Reach will create a traffic-free pedestrian route linking the new housing developments at Cricket Lane and St John’s Grange, while also establishing new habitats for wildlife and enhancing biodiversity in the area.
Derek Lord, LHCRT Planning and Technical Trustee, said: “This funding is fantastic news. It will bring us closer to our vision of a fully restored canal. It recognises the project’s strategic value in enhancing green infrastructure, promoting sustainable transport, and supporting local regeneration, as well as another step towards reconnecting the Lichfield Canal to Huddlesford Junction.”
Lichfield District Council Cabinet member, Councillor Alex Farrell, said: “I was excited to visit the Gallows Reach section of the canal project and see how much the trust volunteers have achieved so far.
“The Community Infrastructure Levy funding will help them continue with the delivery of this fantastic restoration project.”
LHCRT continues to make huge progress at Gallows Reach, with enabling works for Phase 2 now complete, Phase 1 at Tamworth Road Narrows nearing completion, and major milestones underway — including the installation of a lift bridge and work due to start on the Cricket Lane culvert.
For more information about the Gallows Reach project and how to get involved, visit LHCRT’s Gallows Reach page.