BOSSES at the M6 Toll have confirmed a partnership with a group working to restore a local waterway has been extended.
Volunteers from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (LHCRT) have been boosted by the news the support will continue.
Originally completed in 1797, the Lichfield Canal was abandoned in 1954.
But the trust is now working to restore the seven-mile stretch in a bid to re-establish it as a gateway to the Birmingham Canal Navigations.
During the second year of the M6 Toll partnership, LHRCT will will continue to receive tools, equipment and safety resources to support the volunteer teams.
The M6 Toll's Jo Brett, who recently visited the canal to see progress being made, 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."
The collaboration will also support the trust’s education programme, engaging local communities, schools and groups in restoration and biodiversity initiatives.
Christine Howles, LHCRT’s communications and marketing trustee, added:
"For a volunteer-led charity like ours, M6 Toll’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."
