LEEDS & LIVERPOOL CANAL DRY STONE WALLS -BICENTENARY REPAIR PROJECT

[Ray T]

Celebrating the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Bicentenary (1816-2016)

 

LEEDS & LIVERPOOL CANAL DRY STONE WALLS -BICENTENARY REPAIR PROJECT

 

Over 2,000 metres of dry stone walls along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in East Lancashire are now in top condition again, thanks to a £44,000 repair project involving over 130 volunteer days.

 

The Canal & River Trust, which cares for 2,000 miles of waterways, has been working with volunteers at Rishton, near Blackburn, and Greenberfield, Barnoldswick, to repair several key sections of traditional dry stone walls that had partially collapsed.

 

Around 150 tonnes of recovered local stone was floated along the canal in a large barge to reach inaccessible areas of the canal towpath. Volunteers, aged from late teens to early 60s, then unloaded the stone and shaped it back into dry stone walls to create effective barriers for livestock again.

 

Funded by individual donations from Friends of the Canal & River Trust, this six week project is one of a number of initiatives on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to improve the canal environment during its 200^th anniversary year.

 

Matt Taylor, North West volunteer development co-ordinator with the Trust, said: “The volunteers have done a fantastic job in repairing the walls along the towpath. Many of them arrived on the project knowing little about the traditional skills needed to build dry stone walls.

 

“Qualified experts have worked with them to acquire the necessary expertise and those that want to, have been able to gain valuable vocational AQA qualifications in dry stone walling.

 

“We are very grateful to the volunteers, trainers, and everyone who has donated funds to the Trust’s important environmental improvement work. The project has been a win-win for everyone. Volunteers have enjoyed learning a new skill and working in the outdoors, and the canal environment has benefitted, with restored dry stone walls preserved for future generations.”

 

Anyone who would like to volunteer with the Canal & River Trust or make a donation can find out more on the Canal & River Trust website www.canalrivertrust.org.uk or phone 0303 0404 040.

 

ENDS

 

For further media requests please contact:

Lynn Pegler 07783 686246 Email Lynn.pegler@canalrivertrust.org.uk

[cuthound]

Wow £200 per meter, even using volunteers. No wonder hedges and fences are more popular!

[Mike Todd]

Wow £200 per meter, even using volunteers. No wonder hedges and fences are more popular!

arithmetic?

[tidal]

Actually it's dirt cheap
I was getting £18 a metre 20 years ago

 

 

ETA
That was/is a very worthwhile project and much needed.
Well done all concerned

Edited May 10, 2016 by tidal

[cuthound]

arithmetic?

Whoops, should have engaged brain before posting.