The project is about half way through. Roughly 1,500m3 of silt, which is approximately 18,500 bath tubs worth has been removed from the canal and we want to remove a further 1,000m3 from various sections between Wolverton and Milton Keynes. Once removed the silt is being recycled and used as bank protection.
The project is costing us around £250,000 and was due to finish this summer but with the current heat wave, we've decided to halt the project and restart it in the winter.
Paul Fox, from the Trust, said: "The removal of silt that has built up over the years will make it easier for boaters to navigate and moor along this popular stretch of canal. I am sorry that we've not been able to complete the project in one go - it has been difficult to maintain the oxygen levels in the water during the heat wave. As a result we've reluctantly decided to temporarily stop work and come back and finish the project later in the year when the weather is cooler."