CANALS are part of Britain’s heritage and need to be looked after.
The clear message was spelled out by the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) following its latest clean-up in Leamington.
Over 80 volunteers dragged all manner of junk from the Grand Union on Sunday along less than a mile stretch between Tachbrook Road and Clapham Terrace bridges on Sunday, over 80 volunteers.
The haul included more than 40 shopping trolleys, 28 cycles, three motorbikes, more than 20 tyres, a complete sign from a pay and display car park, a street sign for Llewellyn Road, several pushchairs, a pram, and various barriers and road works signs.
Spokesman Brian Bayston told The Observer: “Unfortunately canals are seen as a convenient dumping ground for rubbish and stolen items as the water hides all the evidence.
“It is frustrating that each time we do a clean up we get another big hopper full of stuff despite having trawled the same bit of canal within the last couple of years.
“Of course grappling is not a precise art and it is easy to not find everything. In fact we know there are items we could not release from the mud even using the tug. It is obviously more of an issue when the canal is close to populated areas.
“It is similar to fly tipping but without the immediate visual impact, unless as a boater you get something around your propeller.
“At least some of the community are getting involved in helping look after our heritage.”
A litter pick along the towpath also saw over 20 sacks of rubbish collected.
The clean ups take place twice a year. Email [email protected] for further details.
The IWA is a charity working to protect and restore the county’s 6,500 miles of canals and rivers. Visit www.waterways.org.uk for further details.
