Local people are being asked to
lend their support to clean up efforts on the flood-hit Calder and Hebble
Navigation.
The Canal and River Trust, the
charity that cares for 2,000 miles of historic waterways in England and Wales,
is organising a clean-up of the canal after the Boxing Day floods caused
widespread damage to the towpath and dumped rubbish and other debris.
The Trust is holding a volunteer
event between 10 am and 1 pm on Saturday 23 January focused on the
canal between Elland Lock and Park Nook Lock. Local people can help repair the
towpath, rebuild a damaged dry stone wall and clear the rubbish that the
floodwaters have dropped.
Jon Horsfall, Waterway Manager
for the Canal and River Trust said; “The Boxing Day floods were the worst
we’ve ever seen on our waterways and have caused major damage on the Calder and Hebble Navigation.
“You only have to take a walk to
Park Nook to get an understanding of the havoc that the floods wreaked. The
towpath has been washed away, walls have been destroyed, there’s rubbish lying
everywhere, a boat was even lifted onto the bank and dropped against the trees
– it really is a chaotic scene.
“We want to get the canal and
towpath back to its best as quickly as possible so that it can once more be
enjoyed by the local community. That’s why we’re asking local people to help
where they can and this volunteering day will be a great opportunity for us all
to pull together and begin to get things back to normal. We’ve already had lots
of fantastic offers of support and we’re very grateful for any help that people
can give.”
The meeting point for the
clean-up is the Colliers Arms, off Park Road, HX5 9HZ at
10 am on Saturday 23 January. The Colliers Arms has kindly offered
the use of its car park for people wanting to help out.
For more information on
volunteering contact Lucy Dockray on 07767 383736 or lucy.dockray@canalrivertrust.org.uk.
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