CRT ask for help - DIY veg management

[Ewan123]

I don't think I've seen this posted already.

 

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boating/boating-news-and-views/boating-blogs/a-guide-to-removing-wash-wall-vegetation

 

From the Boater's Update, CRT are actually asking us all to help out with nibbling away at vegetation growth on wash walls. I think it's really good to see CRT encourage this - a lot of us already do, and the idea of everyone mucking in a little is very much in the spirit of these restored waterways. That CRT are officially endorsing this feels appropriate.

 

The guidance is somewhat excessive for many people but they do have to cover their backs in case of someone injuring themselves etc.

 

 

[Justin Smith]

Whenever we hire a boat as we cruise along I try to cut off or break off some of the over hanging bushes etc, particularly on the offside which tends not to get cut back often for obvious reasons. In fact I even have some cheap secateurs (must be cheap in case one drops them in the cut....) though I do find it sometimes gets addictive and if one's attention is diverted too long one finds the boat going in an unplanned direction....

Number one hint, make sure it isn't a bramble (assuming you haven't got thick gloves on...).

If all boaters did this for just a few "over hangers" a day it'd make a big difference.

Edited July 13 by Justin Smith

[Hudds Lad]

32 minutes ago, Justin Smith said:

In fact I even have some cheap secateurs (must be cheap in case one drops them in the cut....)

Lanyard looped round your wrist can save them.  Cutting is best left to whoever is not steering to avoid the inevitable hedgehunting, DAMHIK  

[Ken X]

More than once, whilst hovering mid cut in a queue for a lock, we have observed boaters out on their roofs doing a bit of guerrilla gardening. 

 

We have a boating kit which contains secateurs and a junior hacksaw, (usually for the weed hatch), but which can be pressed into service for a bit of pruning when required.  All adds to the fun of boating. 🙂

 

Just watch out for the discarded fishing line, usually with a hook somewhere in the midst. 

 

[Hudds Lad]

41 minutes ago, Ken X said:

Just watch out for the discarded fishing line, usually with a hook somewhere in the midst. 

Have got rid of a few of those, even had a complete rod/reel setup from the offside on the way to Nantwich once. Sadly it had been there so long that all the metal fixtures had rusted beyond use so got binned.

[PeterScott]

5 hours ago, Ewan123 said:

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boating/boating-news-and-views/boating-blogs/a-guide-to-removing-wash-wall-vegetation

... CRT are actually asking us all to help out with nibbling away at vegetation growth on wash walls. I think it's really good to see CRT encourage this -

Their picture has someone doing some of the recommended precautions - gloves, tool, lifejacket ... but not removing vegetation growth on wash walls.

 

Maybe they need another FAQ: What is the difference between a wash wall and a lock wall ...

Dear C&RT, Is this the sort of wash wall vegetation we should be clearing ?

 

 

Droitwich, June2024

[ditchcrawler]

1 hour ago, PeterScott said:

Their picture has someone doing some of the recommended precautions - gloves, tool, lifejacket ... but not removing vegetation growth on wash walls.

 

Maybe they need another FAQ: What is the difference between a wash wall and a lock wall ...

Dear C&RT, Is this the sort of wash wall vegetation we should be clearing ?

 

 

 

Droitwich, June2024

That could even be classed as working at hight, maybe he should have a harness on as well

[Jen-in-Wellies]

1 hour ago, PeterScott said:

Their picture has someone doing some of the recommended precautions - gloves, tool, lifejacket ... but not removing vegetation growth on wash walls.

 

Maybe they need another FAQ: What is the difference between a wash wall and a lock wall ...

Dear C&RT, Is this the sort of wash wall vegetation we should be clearing ?

 

 

Droitwich, June2024

I barely saw any heads bobbing along from the boat, let alone the towpath itself, so prolific was the veg. 

I may well have been heading up, when you were coming down!

[Cheese]

I have no idea what they mean by "position yourself alongside the bank in a 45 degree angle so that you are balanced." ??

[Jon57]

9 hours ago, Ken X said:

More than once, whilst hovering mid cut in a queue for a lock, we have observed boaters out on their roofs doing a bit of guerrilla gardening. 

 

We have a boating kit which contains secateurs and a junior hacksaw, (usually for the weed hatch), but which can be pressed into service for a bit of pruning when required.  All adds to the fun of boating. 🙂

 

Just watch out for the discarded fishing line, usually with a hook somewhere in the midst. 

 

Cordless jigsaw with a large blade help with the bigger stuff 

[waterworks]

There is no choice where I am but to take a folding pruning saw and secetuers on my bike commute every week if I want to get down the towpath in the summer. 

[Ewan123]

7 hours ago, waterworks said:

There is no choice where I am but to take a folding pruning saw and secetuers on my bike commute every week if I want to get down the towpath in the summer. 

Where's that to?