Help for the Cotswold Canals
A BRITISH lubricants company is ensuring that the first phase of the Cotswold Canals restoration runs smoothly.
Morris Lubricants, based in Shrewsbury, has agreed to donate 410 litres of Terralus BVG46 bio-degradable hydraulic oil to the Cotswold Canals Trust for an amphibious dredger, which is being used by volunteers to support contractors.
The £25 million canals restoration project will restore a 6.7 mile length of canal between Stonehouse and Brimscombe, which is the first phase of a project to fully restore the 36 mile Cotswold Canals, which of course link the Thames and the Severn.
Unused for 12 years
Trust volunteers have spent the last six months bringing the dredger, which has not been used for around 12 years, up to a good standard to carry out work in the New Year. The £10,000 refurbishment itself has been funded by Stroud District Council, which is leading the first phase restoration, with Alan Jones, the trust's Plant Manager explaining:
"We are also restoring a tug and three mud barges to use with the dredger, which will supplement contractors' work going on in parallel in the first phase to reopen these canals.
"Contractors will do the bulk of the work but our dredger will be used to profile the canal and dredge out spoil from parts that are inaccessible to heavy machinery.
"We last overhauled the dredger about 20 years ago but it has been idle for around 12 years. It will definitely make a significant contribution to the restoration work and we are very grateful to Morris Lubricants for its donation of the biodegradable hydraulic oil because we have spent the budget that we had to get this machine back into action."
Golden Film lubricants
Morris Lubricants produces a range of Golden Film lubricants and ancillary products specifically to assist with the maintenance and servicing of canal boats.
Adrian Hill, Product and Marketing Manager, related the company was delighted to support the dedicated volunteers from the Cotswold Canals Trust and the nationally important restoration project:
"Apart from supporting a very worthy cause, we hope that our sponsorship of the dredger will also help to promote our quality products to canal boat owners.