CA Daily Wire
26 minutes ago Phil Chapman, North West and Lauren Hirst, North West BBC Vessels described as "water tractors" are being used to clean the weeds and other organic matter from the surface of canals A fleet of weed harvesters are helping to clean up the waterways in north-west England. The Canal & River Trust is spending more than £150,000 to use machines called Truxors to remove aquatic weeds like duckweed, floating pennywort and azolla, which when left unchecked can cause problems for boats. The weeds can also starve underwater plants of light and reduce levels of oxygen needed by fish and other wildlife, and can have a damaging impact on kingfishers and otters.
Kieran Howlett, from the Canal & River Trust, said managing the weeds was becoming more challenging but the charity was determined to protect the "wonderful waterways". With warmer summers and longer growing seasons, these fast-growing plants spread quickly through the canal network and can rapidly form a thick green carpet across the water's surface. Described as "a bit like floating tractors" by the Canal & River Trust, the specialist machines cut and collect weeds from the water, helping the team remove about 30 tonnes each week.
Speaking during a clean-up operation in Wigan, Mike Bell, a waterways officer at the trust, said: "When it's built up this much it just gets wrapped around the propeller of the boat and then sometimes it gets stuck and they can't get past. "That's why this is really important that we get it out so that the boats can get through and carry on." Canals have been covered in weeds which can cause problems for wildlife and boaters The trust is targeting different areas including Ribble Link near Preston in Lancashire and the Rufford branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal from St Mary's Marina to Tarleton Lock in Lancashire and from Johnson's Hill to Blackburn, Red Rock to Wigan in Greater Manchester, and Lydiate to Aintree on Merseyside. The team have also been cleaning up parts of the Shropshire Union Canal from Chester to Tilstone, and Ellesmere Port to Backford.
Kieran Howlett said the clean-up was becoming more challenging Howlett said the trust had embarked on "extensive weed clearance programme". "We work hard throughout the year to manage weed growth which is a massive challenge and a cost for our charity," he said. "But these essential works are helping us maintain navigation for boaters and also protect wildlife along the North West's wonderful waterways."
Source: BBC
