BCNS received a request from Steve Lambert at CRT to undertake a clean up to clear the toll island on the New Main Line beneath the Engine Arm aqueduct near Smethwick.
Emails were sent out, a date agreed and 11 hardly volunteers turned up at 9.30am on Saturday 26th October at Brasshouse Lane to meet Steve and unload the CRT tools into the BCNS work boat Phoenix.
A wet October day at the toll island on the New Main Line beneath the Engine Arm aqueduct near Smethwick
The weather was horrendous, with continuous rain through out the day, but the volunteers were sustained by regular drinks of tea/coffee and hot soup. The toll island was entirely covered with vegetation and 3 foot high saplings. These were all cleared and all the copings revealed.
A wet October day at the toll island on the New Main Line beneath the Engine Arm aqueduct near Smethwick
CRT plan to return in the near future and undertake resurfacing work to prevent a reoccurrence of the vegetation. The work party also cleared all the overhanging branches and vegetation from the off side of the canal that prevented one of the channels being used for navigation.
A warming stew awaited the volunteers upon completion of the work with Phoenix then returning to the Titford Pump House.