DELIVERY of building blocks and various liner materials will signal the start of work on the next section of the Montgomery Canal south of Crickheath Tramway.
The second Shropshire Union Canal Society work party of the year saw a variety of activities including channel profiling and hedge laying in readiness for the resumption of work on Phase 1B of the restoration scheme. Between 50 and 60 deliveries of the blocks were expected and the liners require a large flat area for measuring out and cutting to length.
Space needed creating in the compound and bespoke equipment for a smooth and efficient block handling operation. The society’s oldest volunteer, Fred Barrett, stepped up to the task. With saw and screwdriver in hand, and ably assisted by Rob Dickinson, Fred constructed a new and improved block delivery platform, fit for the future.
Volunteers applied a strong binding of hazel along the top of the 83 metres of cut and laid hedge completed since December and a few more hedging whips will be inserted next month where the hedge remains thin. The work party achieved significant progress, said project manager Tom Fulda.
