All Aboard As Canal Nears Goal!

The Essington and Wyrley Canal is not only an important 200 year old piece of heritage and history for Wednesfield, it is still a transport corridor for pleasure vessels making their way along the canal.

It is not hugely busy with pleasure boats, but I contend that it is only because of past bad press, and an uncertainty as to what kind of experience you would have sailing in such an urban corridor! That dated view may all be about to change however.
I have been campaigning now for a number of years to make this canal into a Local Nature Reserve.

It is quite beautiful in sections, it has peace and quiet, and it has a great range of plants and birds and animals living and foraging on its banks. It has a diverse head of fish in its water, and it also has some very spectacular flowers like Butomus umbellatus (Flowering Rush) and Sagittaria sagittifolia, for instance.

The latest wildlife survey informs readers that the emergent aquatic flora in certain sections of the canal “is particularly rich” including “several plants species not commonly found in other parts of the Birmingham and Black Country canal network”

The latest survey informs the reader that “-It offers good connectivity within the wider landscape forming important links to Local Wildlife Sites, the countryside and other parts of the canal network. It has a strong ecological, aesthetic, educational and historical value and is commonly used by the local community to pursue a range of recreational activities. It is therefore an important site for both wildlife and people. When assessed against the Birmingham & Black Country Local Sites Selection Criteria the surveyed section of the Wyrley & Essington Canal scores either High or Medium against each of the ecological and social criteria. The site therefore meets the threshold for selection as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.”

Those are very important statements and will help to provide the building blocks required for the waterway to gain LNR status.

I have for years enjoyed the pleasure of the canal, now as I walk the tow path, I know that there is this huge variety of plants that I am strolling by, from the common Cow-Parsley through to the exotically named lesser water parsnip, from Butterfly Bush to Canadian Fleabane!
We have our water fowl and an incredible a variety of fish, our support group on Face Book inform me through our special Face Book page of what they are also spotting, the evidence also comes along with pictures! Our support group has grown to over 127 members, great crested newts, common toads, tench, bream,pike, black birds all have been recorded..
It is this diversity of life and the fact that the canal runs (certainly through the Wolverhampton side) ,a dense corridor of urban and industrial life that makes this @curly-Wyrley’ so darn different.
Within 1 mile of the canal there must be at least 65,000 people living and going about their daily business. The hugely busy Wednesfield road is just yards from the waters edge in places. Also within the canal corridor, huge shopping complexes attract millions of people a year, industrial and manufacturing processes also are taking place, and one of the biggest hospitals in the West Midlands at New Cross is almost on its banks. But life in the slow lane can be enjoyed alongside the meandering water all the same.
Our water way is very quiet in places and serene for those that know where the best patches are.
It is a key corridor for the movements of wildlife, it allows our mammals and birds to access the heart of the city, it also helps to provide food and distribute birds who use the hedgerow for food and shelter.
But I also believe that this waterway can provide economic regeneration for us humans as well as regenerating our soul!
If we get LNR status for the canal, an already popular facility will attract even more visitors.
On the banks of the canal this week on a dismal day in December, as we stood talking about the results and the merit of the latest survey, Natural England, Canal & Waterway Trust Officials along with City Officials, all remarked about the number and variety of people using the tow path at 15.30 on a dark sullen day!
I think and know, with good marketing and positive messages, we can attract more boat traffic, and with the mooring facilities that we have at Bentley Bridge, and the High Street Wednesfield, we can encourage holiday makers and visitors using the canal to stay over and use our Shopping and Leisure facilities.
More school strips, more walkers, and cyclists, more fisherman can be attracted, which can provide more trade in our centres close to the canal..
I am convinced that this canal can be a huge winner for Wednesfield and Wolverhampton.
Why don’t you reacquaint yourself with our canal? Support this campaign for a Local Nature Reserve and put your support into this campaign!