A major operation is under way to plug a leak near Birmingham’s famous Gas Street Basin – which is threatening to deluge a disused railway tunnel.
A section of the canal was drained at the weekend before engineers begin the task of identifying where the hole is and fixing it.
The Canal and Riverside Trust co-ordinated an operation to rescue thrashing shoals of roach, perch and gudgeon trapped in the water as it was pumped out.
A weak electric pulse stunned the fish which were collected and placed on the other side of safety barriers.
Hayley Harper, from the Canal and River Trust, said: “The leak appears to be quite significant, so we need to know as soon as possible exactly where it’s coming from. The only way we can know for sure is to drain the canal and thoroughly inspect the aqueduct.
“I can’t remember the last time we drained this part of the canal, so it will also be interesting to see what other changes have occurred to the canal bed as well as finding out exactly what has caused this leak.”
The complex repair work, which could take months, will see safety gates closed and pumps installed. It is not yet known how much the operation will cost.
Network Rail has given an assurance services will not be affected. A spokesman said: “Water is entering a disused railway tunnel in the area,” a spokesman said.
“It is not impacting on trains and we are in regular contact with the Canal and River Trust.”
