New series Narrow Escapes is back with it’s third episode, spending time once again with the vibrant community who call the UK’s canal network home. This episode, airing on Channel 4 on Wednesday 1 May, follows the adventures of Emma and The Dawn Piper as they head towards the climax of their journey—crossing the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. With their engine running smoothly, Emma and her crew are all set to navigate this engineering marvel, which carries the Llangollen Canal across the River Dee in northeast Wales.
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a testament to the ingenuity of civil engineers Thomas Telford and William Jessop. Completed in 1805, the aqueduct is an impressive structure, standing 38.4 metres high and 307 metres long. It comprises 18 tapering stone pillars, supporting a narrow trough made of iron plates. The aqueduct’s unique design, with its metal arches and stone piers, showcases the innovative use of both cast and wrought iron, resulting in a structure that is both monumental and elegant.
As Emma and her crew approach the aqueduct, they are joined by Carrie, a young care home manager who has recently traded her three-bedroom house for a life on the waterways. Carrie, along with her bulldog Winnie, is eager to experience the freedom and beauty of canal living. She has invested in a new home on the water, a narrowboat equipped with all the comforts, including a chandelier.
Meanwhile, viewers are introduced to Paul and Anthony, an experienced boating couple who are upgrading to a new eco-boat. Paul takes charge of overseeing the construction, while Anthony focuses on his land-based job.
Narrow Escapes Episode 3 airs on Channel 4 at 4.00 pm on Wednesday 1 May 2024.
