The project will see a floating digger clearing 12,000 tonnes of mud and silt from the bed of the River Soar.
The project will see almost nine miles of the river dredged in two phases. The first phase started this week with the dredger working from Belton Road in Loughborough to Zouch Lock near Hathern - a stretch that is expected to be completed by the end of May.
The second phase of the project will then focus on the river between Junction Lock near Rothley and Lime Kiln Lock to the north of Leicester city centre with work expected to be completed by the end of June.
Positive impact on water quality
Dredging is a vital part of our work to keep the waterways clear for the thousands of boats that visit each year. Dredging also has a positive impact on water quality and the plants, animals and insects which are so popular with people visiting the waterways.
Mark Weatherall, project manager or the Trust, said: “The River Soar through Leicestershire is one of the key arterial routes for boaters – almost like the M1 of the waterways – so it's important that we take the time to make sure that it's in good order and an enjoyable experience.
“We'll be dredging something like 12,000 tonnes of mud and silt from the river channel as well as around moorings, bridges and turning points which will make the river a much more attractive prospect for boaters. That can only be a good thing for local businesses and people on the towpath who love to see colourful boats out on the water. And of course there are environmental benefits so this project is a real win-win.”
Where suitable, some of the dredged material will be re-used as fertiliser on agricultural land with the remainder being deposited at a landfill site.