More than 60 employees have so far carried out a range of outdoor tasks as part of the company's corporate volunteering initiative and further work is planned for December. Over the next few months, our staff and many other volunteers will be devoting hundreds of hours to upgrading towpaths, planting trees, mending hedgerows and removing unwanted vegetation.
Dealing with invasive species
At Bosley Reservoir, which supplies water to the canal, we're working in partnership with the Prince Albert Angling Society and the Angling Trust to deal with an invasion of the non-native New Zealand pygmy weed, which is out-competing existing native plants and destroying habitats for insects and nesting birds.
On Bosley's famous 12 lock flight, just over a mile of muddy, sloping towpath has been upgraded with a new all-weather, hard surface of stone chippings – a waste bi-product from Welsh slate quarries. Eroded canal banks around the lock chambers and gates have also been repaired, making it safer for boaters alighting to operate lock gates.
A water-logged towpath near Bridge 87 at Scholar Green has been greatly improved, thanks to a major project to reinforce the soggy ground conditions with more than 40 tonnes of waste slate.
And all along the 26 mile canal route, staff and volunteers will be planting trees, removing overhanging vegetation and improving hedgerows and wildlife corridors.
An amazing, tranquil space
Phil Smith, our local area operations manager, said: “All our volunteers are doing a fantastic job. A few years ago the Macclesfield Canal became the first canal in the country to gain a coveted Green Flag Award, endorsing it as a quality green space, offering visitors a first class experience. It's vitally important to keep this historic canal in good condition and we are very grateful to everyone who is working with us to do that.
“Although the canals were originally built to transport coal and other goods during the Industrial Revolution, they have now been reinvented as leisure destinations. During the coronavirus lockdowns particularly, people have noticed how waterways offer an amazing, tranquil space to re-energise and enjoy walking, cycling, angling and jogging, and appreciate nature.”
Promoting biodiversity
Tom King, ecologist with the Trust, added: “Our canals and reservoirs are incredibly important for wildlife and we're doing everything we can to enhance habitats and promote biodiversity. Planting trees and keeping hedgerows in good condition gives a vital boost to preserve habitats for small mammals, birds and insects.
“We are also particularly pleased to find a fantastic new use for the waste stone from Welsh slate mines. This is a win-win both for the environment and everyone who enjoys using the wonderful waterway towpaths.
“At Bosley Reservoir, the New Zealand pygmy weed is giving us a major challenge and over the next few months we'll be working with our angling colleagues to spray and clear the weed as much as we can. Now the non-native invasive species has taken hold, it will sadly be almost impossible to eradicate, which is why it's so important for everyone to take extreme care not to spread the plant elsewhere on their shoes, clothing or equipment. Always follow the government's guidelines to ‘check, clean, dry'.”
