National waterways charity Canal & River Trust has recently commissioned some work to be carried out on the Guilsfield Arm which is a designated Nature Reserve. It is a tranquil area to walk in and to observe nature but over the years has become more overgrown and water has struggled to make its’ way down the channel.
Dredging took place a few years ago which helped and cleared the drainage outlets from the neighbouring fields but it soon naturalised again with water plants. However, workers have recently been clearing the banks of vegetation and doing some coppicing work on both sides of the channel in the area from Burgedin to Bridge no. 2 at Deep cutting in advance of the bird nesting season.
Large trees that had fallen across the canal have been removed to improve the flow of water. The dredging team are currently on site and are dredging a two metre width with a one metre depth. The difference is remarkable and a great improvement. Please go and have a look, the snowdrops are out now and will soon be followed by primroses and a fox has been spotted resting on the offside bank – well worth a stroll.
