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Plug pulled on aqueduct
Tuesday 10th November 2009, 11:17AM GMT.
A 204-year-old aqueduct close to the Shropshire border is being drained of more than a million litres of water.
The plug was pulled on the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct yesterday sending water cascading 130ft into the Dee Valley.
- See more pictures in today’s Shropshire Star
The iron trough that carries the Llangollen Canal across the aqueduct was being drained by British Waterways engineers for an inspection and clean.
Yesterday crowds gathered around the aqueduct, built by engineer Thomas Telford, to watch the dramatic spectacle.
Local schoolboy David Halligan was given the important task of cranking a handle which lifted the plug in the trough. As he did so an air horn sounded before gallons of water burst from the side of the aqueduct.
British Waterways says that the aqueduct will be closed to traffic for the coming week as engineers ensure the canal is “shipshape” and in no need of repair.
The aqueduct was last inspected about five years ago, before the celebrations for its 200th birthday.
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