Green living wall installed along Manchester's Rochdale Canal

The living wall has been installed by staff and volunteers from Canal & River Trust waterways and wellbeing charity, who look after the Rochdale Canal, with the help of funds raised by players of the People's Postcode Lottery,

Several new wall troughs, planted with native species like honeysuckle, snowdrops, crocuses, bittersweet, evergreen ferns and ivy, will improve the appearance of gabion stone wire baskets along the canal towpath in Ancoats, as well as providing extra pollinating plants for bees and insects.

The project builds on the knowledge gained on a small experimental project in the area which featured trials of plants and materials to find the best combination for the location.

A win-win project

Sara Ponting, our community engagement coordinator, said: “The new living green wall is next to the wonderful mural created by Town Centre securities last year and both really improve the environment for towpath walkers and cyclists.

“This is a win-win project that makes the canal corridor greener, cleaner and more attractive. It will be fantastic for encouraging wildlife to a built-up urban area. The volunteers have done an amazing job and their hard work will pay dividends this spring and beyond as visitors appreciate all the flowers in bloom.”

Enhancing visitor experience

Rob Thompson, TCS asset manager, said: “We are always looking to explore opportunities to enhance visitors experience when navigating around our extensive Piccadilly Basin estate.

“By working with stakeholders and partners, we continue to bring forward multiple initiatives to activate and enhance the water and basin, and are happy to have been able to support the Canal & River Trust on this latest installation.”

Laura Chow, head of charities at People's Postcode Lottery, added: “We thank our players for raising over £18 million to help with the conservation work on 2,000 miles of canals and rivers throughout England and Wales. This support is encouraging more people to get out and enjoy the waterways while fostering the rich biodiversity that thrives around them.”