Third stranded narrowboat pulled free from canal

All three narrowboats stranded at the bottom of a hole caused by a large canal breach in Shropshire have been pulled clear.

The third boat, Sefton, was pulled clear on Thursday afternoon, just a few hours after the second rescue Ganymede, while the first boat, Pacemaker, was rescued on Tuesday.

The boats became trapped when the Llangollen canal in Whitchurch breached before Christmas, causing water to pour into a nearby field.

The Canal and Rivers Trust told the BBC it could take at least nine months to repair the breach as a whole section of the canal remained cut off.

Chris Burntwood and his family run the Lockside Cafe at Grindley Brook - on the Llangollen Canal - a short distance north of the breach.

The family, who have been there for 25 years, feared this year could be their last due to the canal closure.

But a GoFundMe page created after encouragement by the local community could help their doors open.

Burntwood said: "We're looking at just over 70% dropping in footfall and trade. What we're trying to do is pivot to new avenues of custom by bringing in new trade.

"The local community have rallied around us for support, so we're trying to put on a series of events in 2026 to generate new custom."

He said the family were overwhelmed by the support they've received.

"We couldn't believe the attention that's come from local communities. Groups of dog walkers, cyclists, walking enthusiast, runners have contacted us to ask if they could host events at our cafe - which we've never had before.

"It's such a sweet thing to do."

The Canal and River Trust said repairing the Llangollen canal could take most of 2026, costing several million pounds.

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