The David Suchet Appeal is raising money to build a tunnel under the Lichfield to Birmingham line for the Lichfield Canal.

This tunnel can be difficult to build, especially with the foundations for the overhead wires on the line.

In 2007, the Lichfield Southern Bypass reached Birmingham Road, the trust raised £490,000 without any grants to intall a new canal tunnel under the new road.

Plans are in discussion with County Highways to extend the bypass. There is a Agreement in Principle with Network Rail to drive through the road. This will be during a short possesion of the line in late 2019 (TBC).

There are some design specifications that have to be met, like the fact that the road and canal have to be apart, with the canal lower than the road.

Challenges have arose for 800+ housing development plans have been brought forward. So will the restoration be stopped in its tracks?

The Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust are looking to raise £1,000,000 by 2019 to help the project go ahead.

Can you help? Any spare money will be gratefully received! Click here to donate – they have already raised more than £350,000

• Visit the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust Website
  For more information