Plug pulled for cleaning of World Heritage Site

Visitors came from all over to see the work

Michelle Kozomara, of British Waterways, said: “This draining will allow a thorough four-day inspection of the structure. It is the first such operation on Thomas Telford’s 204-year-old masterpiece since it won Unesco World Heritage Status, putting it on a par with the likes of the Statue of Liberty and the Taj Mahal.

“When the water was released the noise was tremendous, like a rushing river. And the torrent carried on for a good two hours,” she added.