Work to restore a canal on the outskirts of Chippenham is underway, but more volunteers are wanted to help move the project forward.
Wilts and Berks Canal Trust are on a mission to restore all 72 of the waterway, which was abandoned in 1914, including the half-a-mile stretch between the A4 in Pewsham northwards to Pudding Brook.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “Having obtained a full ecology and biodiversity report, volunteers have been clearing the towpath, removing rubbish, laying hedges and planting trees – all essential background work.
“We’d love more volunteers to help on the two Saturday work parties each month; please email [email protected] if you would like to join the fun!”
The dirty and overgrown stretch of water has been used by Wiltshire Police as a training ground. Specialist search officers were most recently put through their paces at the location in February.
The force, working with Wiltshire Search and Rescue, were refreshing their waterside search and rescue techniques to ensure they are able to safely operate around water. The presence of a dozen emergency vehicles parked along the A4 sparked local’s interest, concerned they could have been a major incident ongoing.
In May, Wilts and Berks Canal Trust used an eight-ton digger and scaffolding planks to uproot an unwanted tree, which had grown right on top of one of the wing walls. The whole operation took several weeks.
The huge stump was planted in the ground nearby to provide a habitat for local wildlife.
