Invasive Foreign Water Weed To Be Tackled

As many of you will have known I have been active fighting to improve our local Canal system here in Wednesfied for a number of years. It has on the whole been a very successful campaign as we have brought about a focus on the huge benefits that the canal has for our community.

I am still hopeful that the canal will get full Nature Reserve status. In the meantime I have highlighted issue that affect the canal system, like the invasive foreign water weed that at certain times of the year clogs the Essington & Wyrley canal so tightly that local dog's, it is alleged have disappeared into the canal, after stepping out on what looks like a solid green carpet.

The local fishermen are driven off at this time as they can't get their line into the water!

Now British Waterways tell me that they have produced a draft management plan for the purposes of controlling the invasive aquatic weed on the Wyrley and Essington Canal.

They inform me that they shall be using this plan when approaching external partners who they hope to engage to help tackle the problems they are encountering.

I am also informed that they have approached external funding bodies in an attempt to secure funding to implement the plan, however, to date have had little success.

They are continuing to search for appropriate funding both from internal and external sources.



Also British Waterways and Wolverhampton City Council are progressing with the proposal to construct a new footbridge linking the canal towpath at the rear of Wednesfield High Street to Wednesfield Park. They are facing a few challenges with ground conditions and the rising cost of steel, however I am informed that they hope to commence the construction of the bridge in the next few weeks all being well. Planning permission was granted for the new bridge back in May.

I know that many in our community will be very pleased that these proposals are being persuied. I would just add my voice to the request of British Waterways for the partners and the funding bodies to support these developments. This canal is a fabulous community facility that is growing in popularity daily.