Once more the Trust’s work party was held in glorious spring weather and the ten volunteers attending were split into two groups. The first undertook surveying work and the second concentrated on further work to finish the drainage work in the area of the footpath.

The surveyors’ main task was to attempt to establish the depth of cover between the level of the track bed and the top of the Chirk Canal Tunnel at the point where the tramway passes over the canal.  This information is necessary to satisfy one of the planning conditions and involved two level runs from an ordnance bench mark sited on the narrow bridgeover the Network Rail line.  The first was to the canal tunnel portal. This in turn gave the level of the crown of the tunnel and the water  in the canal.  The second level run was up the track bed from Chirk Station to the point of intersection.  The results showed that there was some eight metres of cover between tram and top of the tunnel.  This result happily means that the chances of a tram locomotive becoming deck cargo on a passing narrowboat are vanishingly small!

The surveyors other task was to investigate another mystery drainage system in the vicinity of the canal tunnel but this turned out to be completely unrelated to the canal.

The second gang completed the work to drain the hitherto completely waterlogged section of track bed near the Ogilvie’s Way footpath. The results of this work are impressive. Three months ago it almost required waders to negotiate this section on foot butnow the track bed is solid ground. Water continues to pour from springs in the bank above this section but is now channelled away in a cut-off drain.

The day’s work was completed by an assessment of the next section of track bed to require remedial attention next time.... which is 12th May.  This will be followed by work parties on 16th June, and 14th July.  New volunteers will be made most welcome. Tea, coffee and lots of delicious cakes provided! Contact Ian Davies (07929 260962 or 01691 777985).

‘Digger’