Clean-up efforts on flood hit Calder and Hebble Navigation swing into action

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.

Rebuilding canals in the heart of flood-hit communities

Since the dreadful floods over the Christmas period, staff from the Canal and River Trust have been busy inspecting bridges, embankments and wash walls - assessing the damage and putting together plans. Many individuals and local voluntary organisations have already been heavily involved in helping to deal with the damage the flooding caused.  You can read about some of the work that has taken place by visiting the Canal and River Trust website just click on this link.

As CRT says "The kindness and spirit of those that have helped so far has shown what can be achieved in the face of adversity".  But the Trust needs to raise significant funds to make sure that this wonderful work is not wasted. The money will be used to repair things like major structural failures and to deal with canal breaches and landslips. CRT must also fix holes, washouts and clear deposited silt that have forced the closure of towpaths and waterways.

Please show your solidarity with the thousands of people whose lives have been turned upside-down. Help the Trust rebuild canals in the heart of flood-hit communities by making a donation today.  Flood appeal - donate now

Water Resources Strategy 2015-2020

The Canal and River Trust has published its Water Resources Strategy:  Putting the water into waterways.  A lengthy document but well worth the read.

Flooding in Mirfield - Boxing Day 2015

This is a video which appears on YouTube - Mirfield Floods

Boxing Day Floods

The following photos show the flooding at Battyeford, Newgate Lock and Lower Hopton, Mirfield:

Photography competition

For its latest photography competition, the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) is looking for photographs that illustrate the changing seasons of the year. Shots of waterways from all over the UK can feature bustling canal and river scenes to more serene, lesser used waterways.  You can also enter images with various structures, craft and activities, to demonstrate the fantastic and diverse ways in which waterways are used. Winning photos will feature in IWA's calendar and Christmas cards. The top prize for the latest photography competition is a complete set of OS Nicholsons Guides to the Waterways, worth over £130, kindly donated by Harper Collins. All shortlisted entries will receive three copies of IWA's 2017 calendar.

For more information about the competition visit the IWA's website.

Daffodil planting

Many thanks to you all for coming along on Friday and for all your efforts in planting up the daffodil bulbs along the waterway paths at Battyeford Island.