Canal clean-up begins
Twelve volunteers in Bath had a rubbish start to the weekend today – quite literally.
They were taking part in a litter pick, dubbed the Towpath Tidy, along the Kennet and Avon Canal, collecting rubbish from Sydney Buildings to Bathampton.
The event was organised by British Waterways and is one of a planned series of activities to mark the canal’s bicentenary.
Bath’s MP Don Foster lent a hand, decked out in gloves and a litter picker, ahead of a scheme spearheaded by British Waterways to improve the city's locks.
He said: “The Kennet and Avon Canal is an icon of the industrial age. Towpath Tidy is a great way for local people to get involved and help kickstart the project to revitalise the historic Bath Flight of Locks."
He said he had been involved in a litter pick two weeks ago at the Linear Park in Oldfield Park which had led to a permanent imporvement.
"If we can clear up, it means that people are much less likely to drop litter again and will keep the environment clean.
"This is our shared environment and it would be nice to enjoy it without beer bottles and crisp packets.”
The volunteers were encouraged by the sunny weather and the small amount of rubbish they found at the starting point.
Accountant Elaine Emerton, 41, was only too happy to give up her Saturday to collect rubbish – because it allowed her to spend more time with her husband John Chater who is a lock-keeper for British Waterways.
She said: “I am interested in the canal network and I thought I would do a bit to help out as well. I needed the exercise so the walk did me good. I think people should be a bit more careful and not leave their litter along the canal, it should be left as people would like to find it.”
But not everyone was happy with the state of the canal.
Boat dweller Tom Arnold hit out at bins and recycling facilities at Dundas Aquaduct at Monkton Combe which hadn’t been emptied for weeks – attracting rats.
“I live on a boat on the canal, and these facilities are where we have to go to dispose of our rubbish and recyclable waste. We pay over £650 a year for our licence, so understandably do not expect to have to clamber over rubbish that has been left festering for week on end. It is not the first time that these facilities have been left in such a state.”
Waterways manager Mark Stephens apologised for the uncollected rubbish and said it had now been removed.
“There was an issue with a contract which is annoying because it was just paperwork and bureaucracy which meant the bin man didn’t go.
“It wasn’t acceptable and we have had skips in and had the site cleaned.”
Mr Stephens said he hoped that by keeping the canal clean and tidy more people would be encouraged to use it.
“There was very little litter at Sydney Buildings, we hope that by doing the littler pick we will raise awareness and promote the canal being here.”
People can help improve the canal in a number of ways such as donating plants to brighten up the area.
Anyone interested can email KA200projects@britishwaterways.co.uk
6 Comments
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by Paul Wiltshire, Deputy editor
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 12:31PM
“Danny: It is still alive and kicking. Rome was not, however, built in a day and it so it was always going to be a bit of a slow burn. We'll take a look at the areas you mention - thanks.”
by danny33, dirtydecrepitbath
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 12:06PM
“Whatever happened to the loudly heralded [only here of course] Bath Chronicle Anti-Litter campaign?
Was it ever followed up with any evidence to success?
Since the streets [and towpaths west of Widcombe] are still full of rubbish, each and every day. plus endless runs of graffiti over walls and bridges; the littering problem is just as evident.
So what was the point Bath Chronicle?”
by C Anal, Bath
Monday, March 15 2010, 2:41PM
“..On the banks of the river.
I saw some c***
Just lying there.
Folks were walking
and some were talking;
BUT they all just left it lying there!
Then along came
all the good folk
Working hard it was no joke!
All the c*** and
all the garbidge stuffed so neatly in a sack!
Now the banks of the river
Are looking tidy, neat and clean!
Now all you walkers and all you talkers
Just help keep the rivers DREAM!
ps Canals included!
Or should I care?”
by Dave, Larkhall
Sunday, March 14 2010, 5:01PM
“Just to confuse us all, the EA are responsible for the banks of rivers and BW the watercourse. But on canals BW are responsible for both the banks and the watercourse. So imagine the conflict when you get to a lock. The entrance is a canal, so BW are in control, but the river going over the weir is dual controlled. Farce!”
by Dave, Larkhall
Sunday, March 14 2010, 4:55PM
“Nice pre election op. for our Don! Pity he didn't put on his gloves and help clean up parliament, or badger the relevant authorities, British Waterways and the Environment Agency to carry out their statutory duty.
If they think the canal is littered, try a trip down river to Hanham Lock. The trees are still festooned with plastic bags and rubbish from the big flood of 2000, and the banks clogged up with straw farmers had failed to collect in.
We riparian (riverbank) owners try our best, but since the watercourse became the responsibility of BW and the banks the EA, you don't need to be a genius to understand the difficulty in getting either to take action. Nothing to do with us says the EA! Nothing to do with us says BW. Yet another political C*** Up.”