Llangollen Canal collapses flooding properties in north Shropshire

Homes have been flooded and contractors are on site after a canal collapsed in north Shropshire.

A stretch of the Llangollen Canal at Hampton Bank, near Ellesmere, has collapsed due to the structural failure of a pipe that carries water beneath it.

A spokeswoman for the Canal & River Trust, which is dealing with the incident, issued a statement on the collapse this morning.

She said: “Teams from the Canal & River Trust and its infrastructure partner, Kier, are on site and have closed the affected section of the canal.

“They are carrying out emergency works to slow the flow of water into a neighbourhood field. Two nearby properties have also been affected by flooding.

“We know this will be a distressing time for those affected. Our teams remain on site and in direct contact with the residents, providing support and assistance while we work as quickly as possible to bring the situation under control.

“Investigations are under way to establish the possible cause of the collapse, and we will provide further details in due course.”