Home / Disasters and Accidents / Canal Collapses: Safety Fears Rise After Near-Tragedy
Canal Collapses: Safety Fears Rise After Near-Tragedy
27 Jan
Summary
- Two narrowboats sank after a canal embankment collapsed, creating a large chasm.
- Residents escaped unharmed but expressed serious concerns about waterway safety.
- Ageing infrastructure and funding shortages are cited as reasons for increasing breaches.
On December 22, 2025, a catastrophic breach occurred in the Llangollen Canal near Whitchurch, Shropshire. Millions of gallons of water poured out, causing a 50m long crater and collapsing the canal's embankment. Two narrowboats, Sefton and Ganymede, fell into the void, though their occupants escaped unharmed. Paul Stowe's boat, the Pacemaker, was precariously close to falling but was secured by the Canals and Rivers Trust (CRT).
This incident has amplified concerns about the safety of the UK's canal network, with a perceived increase in embankment collapses. Similar breaches occurred recently on the Bridgewater, Huddersfield, and Stover Canals. The Llangollen Canal breach is estimated to cost £2 million to repair and will likely keep the waterway closed for a year. Investigations into the exact cause are ongoing.
