Chaos on canal as 30ft tree snaps off

A 30ft tree caused chaos when it snapped and crashed across a canal in Staffordshire - blocking boaters in for more than 24 hours.

A queue of 40 boats built up on the Trent and Mersey Canal after the willow tree toppled at around 11.30am yesterday, also blocking the towpath close to Old Eaton Road in Rugeley.

British Waterways was trying to remove the tree but boats were unlikely to get moving until this afternoon.

A group of people walking along the canal were nearly struck by the falling tree.

It started a day of frustration for boat users. The first boat to be blocked is owned by Trevor and Sue Coates.

They were setting off on a two-week trip to London before embarking on a holiday to France. Accompanying them was Sue's mother Betty Chainey who was celebrating her 83rd birthday.

Mr Coates, aged 60, of Rugeley, said: "There is nothing you can do about it — these things happen. But it will certainly mean that we may not get to London in time for our trip to France."

Also in the queue was Terry Bellamy, 64, of Checkley, near Uttoxeter. He works on the waterways delivering coal. He said: "I can be on the water for four weeks at a time and this type of thing does happen."

The tree was close to the home of 78-year-old Ruth Robinson who claims she warned British Waterways about the tree. She said: "It was very fortunate that no-one was badly hurt."