Why does the towpath grass looks different this year?
Over the next 12 months the Trust is conducting a national mowing trial which encompasses c.600km out of the 2,500km of towpath. The purpose of the trial is to try and increase wildlife habitat especially in urban areas but balanced with improving boating safety by focusing grass cutting at key locations e.g. winding holes, sightlines and approaches to structures.
The Trust is also aiming to diversify how we cut the grass by reducing the number of cuts per annum dependant on how busy the canal is, how quickly the grass grows in that part of the country or if we are trying to achieve a certain objective.
The Trust recognises that a local section of canal may become more overgrown than anticipated and this could be for a number of reasons, when this happens, we will look to undertake additional grass cuts.
From September and after the wildflowers have seeded and nesting season, the Trust will still undertake its annual full width hedge to edge cut to remove any saplings or woody growth which has established over the year. This cut resets the canal for the following season.
Other benefits of the trial include a reduction of 1,800 accumulated kilometres of mowing, which will reduce the Trust's carbon footprint, coupled with an additional 10% increase in fringe growth sequestrating carbon.
The locks are becoming overgrown, who should contact?
Please email the Trust through our contact us page and let us know the location and what the issue is.
How will you know if the trial has been successful?
Over the coming year we will be collecting feedback for customers, colleagues and volunteers, we will also be monitoring certain locations across the country to record the impact of the trial.
How can I comment on the trial?
It's really important that customers send us positive feedback as well as what can be improved on.
You can either email us feedback via our contact us page, through your local regional customer service team or at regional and local forums.
How will you be cutting the grass differently?
The Trust will be using 4 different grass cutting options dependant on how busy the canal is, how quickly the grass grows in that part of the country or if we are trying to achieve a certain objective. The four options are:
Option one: A single end of year full width cut undertaken from September, this specification has been designed for rural sections of redundant canals or where the towpath has very low soil fertility.
Option two: Two intermediate cuts which includes cutting either side of the walking pathway to allow pedestrian access, cutting to water's edge on specific bends to allow greater visibility for boaters and approaches to locks, bridges and winding holes. An end of season full width hedge to edge cut will also be undertaken from September, to remove any woody vegetation which has established over the year.
Option three: This option will be used predominantly across the trial areas, as the balance between mowing frequency and grass growth should be suitable in most instances. This option consists of four intermediate cuts and a single full width hedge to edge cut.
Option four: Comprising of an early full width hedge to edge cut with the aim of encouraging early flowering plants, three intermediate cuts and a final end of season hedge to edge cut.
Which locations are you carrying out grass trials on?
Please take a look at our location map and table to view all locations the trial is being carried out on
