Better at Hatton

THE offside of Hatton Flight on the Grand Union Canal is now better to negotiate after five days of clearance by members of the Inland Waterways Association Warwickshire Branch.

Members widened the path on the offside of the legendary 'Stairway to Heaven' locks at Hatton, as over the years, the path had gradually become overgrown with brambles and hawthorn bushes, making it impenetrable to boaters working the locks, Alison Smedley, Branch Campaign Officer, tells us.

Previously cleared

In 2012, the offside canal bank between the Ugly and Middle bridges was previously cleared by branch members. This year, armed with hedge trimmers supplied and supported by the Canal & River Trust, the team of IWA volunteers have cleared the vegetation and rubbish blocking the route and extended the previous pathway further down the flight.

A total width of two metres over a length of two thirds of a mile has been cleared so that encroachment by brambles can be limited and now controlled by regular strimming.