M6toll Continues Two-Year Partnership with Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust
M6toll is proud to continue its partnership with the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (LHCRT), reinforcing a shared commitment to community, heritage, and sustainability.
LHCRT is an entirely volunteer-led organisation dedicated to restoring the historic 7-mile Lichfield Canal. Originally completed in 1797, the canal was abandoned in 1954 following the decline of the national inland waterways network. Today, the Trust is working to bring this important waterway back to life, re-establishing it as a gateway to the Birmingham Canal Navigations.
M6toll has a long-standing connection with the Trust. The Lichfield Canal Aqueduct, which spans the motorway, was installed prior to the road opening in 2003. While the aqueduct remains unconnected as restoration progresses, it stands as a powerful symbol of the canal’s future.
During the partnership’s second year, M6toll will continue to provide essential tools, equipment, and safety resources to support the volunteer teams. The collaboration will also support the Trust’s education programme, engaging local communities, schools, and Scout groups in restoration and biodiversity initiatives.
Recently, M6toll representatives visited the restoration site to meet the dedicated volunteer team and witness first-hand the progress being made. Volunteers were advancing the waterproofing of the canal bed with concrete, building on the significant channel-defining works previously completed by specialist contractors.
The scale and quality of progress on site reflect the outstanding collaboration, expertise, and determination behind this volunteer-led project.
Jo Brett, who visited the site on behalf of M6toll, said: “We are incredibly proud to partner with the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust. A standout moment from my recent visit was seeing the impressive lift bridge, a major engineering feature delivered by a specialist contractor. It is a powerful symbol of what can be achieved through partnership and shared ambition. As we enter the second year of our Drive for Charity partnership, visits like this highlight the people behind the project and the real impact of supporting community-led initiatives. This restoration not only preserves local heritage but also creates lasting environmental value for future generations.”
Christine Howles, LHCRT’s Communications and Marketing Trustee, said: “For a volunteer‑led charity like ours, M6toll’s continued support makes a real difference. Their backing helps provide the tools and resources our volunteers need to work safely and efficiently. This is especially important for our young Duke of Edinburgh Award participants who join us through local schools and youth groups, learning new skills and developing a deeper understanding of their local environment. We are thrilled to see this Drive for Charity partnership continue into a second year as we bring the Lichfield Canal back to life.”
Find out more about Lichfield & Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust
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