RESIDENTS in Bettisfield are celebrating after being reassured that a breach in the nearby Llangollen Canal – which forced one couple out of their home and flooded fields – will not happen again.
Antony and Sheila Elmer were flooded out of their home when the canal, which runs along a raised embankment behind their house, sprang a leak in November.
The flood water engulfed nearby fields, meaning animals had to be moved, as well as flowing through the Elmers’ house.
But British Waterways has now completed repairs on the bank at Cornhill Embankment, which experts believe collapsed because of tunnelling badgers weakening the structure of the bank.
Phil Jones, from Maelor South Community Council, said: “What they’ve done should solve the problem with the badgers. The local residents and the boat owners in particular are very happy because they’ve been able to move more freely now. It’s all back to normal now.
Repairs
“But the chap whose house was flooded I think is still waiting. I think they’re still in rented accommodation somewhere. It was just a bad time for it to happen because it was so wet and snowy. There was also that they wouldn’t want to start repairs until the canal bank had been repaired and they were sure it wouldn’t happen again.”
Retired civil servant Mr Elmer, 63, said: “We’ve had the best part of a mile of canal water pour through the house.”
The couple fear the cost of the damage to their property could run into a five-figure sum.
John Clayton, from British Waterways, said the canal was reopened to boat traffic just after Christmas and that the towpath has now been reopened for walkers and cyclists.
“A three kilometre length of towpath along the picturesque Llangollen Canal has reopened to public use following the successful completion of a waterway repair programme. Round the clock working ensured the navigation re-opened to boating traffic shortly before Christmas,” he said.
“Maintaining the Llangollen Canal, which is one of the busiest UK waterways, is a priority for British Waterways,” he added.
By Pam Griffin
