THE eagerly awaited start of lining and blocking the Montgomery Canal route at Crickheath South got off to a flying start.
Tom Fulda, restoration project manager for the Shropshire Union Canal Society, said that the team had been delayed by the wet weather over the winter but pumps were being used to reduce water levels in Phase 1A. When more rain stopped further channel profiling, digger operators diverted to stump removal in an area agreed with the Canal & River Trust ecologist. The main focus of this work party was lining and blocking, the compound having been filled with required materials including an initial delivery of 3000 blocks and four rolls of ‘carpet’ – the top layer of the liner system.
Work started in Phase 1B which doesn’t hold water. The length being worked on runs from the compound to the southernmost clay dam retained from last October’s water tests. Starting at the far end of the haul road, work moved towards the dam and by the end of the weekend 30m of channel had been lined and blocked. Once the dam is reached – a further 15m – the team of volunteers will work back towards the compound. Blocks do not extend all the way up the liners but finish below water level, above which they are covered by riprap (medium-sized stone) and site strip (soil) on the towpath side.
An innovative method of creating a ‘soft bank’ behind a submerged retaining wall is being used on the offside bank. This will maximise the ecological benefit of the restored channel and create a habitat for many species, including water voles. Winter hedge laying work has been completed – a total of 90m together with preparation work for next season. A donation of hedging whips from CGI’s Community Tree Planting Programme was used to extend the hedge regeneration work. Restoration stalwart Fred Barrett took the opportunity to design a chute to improve the efficiency of riprap delivery by power barrow along the towpath.
