Adopting the waterways

ONE system of gaining volunteers to look after the waterways is getting companies to adopt stretches to do the work.

Work Solutions, a major provider of employment, recruitment and skills services to employers, local people and government, are set to adopt a section of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Leigh under a pioneering agreement with British Waterways.

Maintain a mile

The company helps people to find work and training in the area, and the scheme is for its people to help maintain about a mile of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, running between the town of Leigh and the junction with the Bridgewater Canal.

British Waterways Volunteer Leader Hazel Mayor states the ‘adoption' will involve undertaking practical days sprucing up the canalside environment in addition to regularly monitoring its condition, adding:

"We are already planning a hands-on launch for October which will involve a monthly clean-up event. We hope the adoption will help keep the towpath safe and welcoming for the local community to use at the same time as providing an opportunity for the group to get out and learn new skills whilst enjoying the canal environment."

Supervise

Under the agreement, British Waterways will supervise task groups in a range of activities from towpath maintenance to clearing over-hanging trees and clearing graffiti.

As part of this transition to Canal & River Trust, British Waterways is asking communities to care for and value their local waterway and schemes such as these.