Weed 'killing' canal

THE weed, floating pennywort, is causing great problems on the Grand Western Canal, with boaters unable to navigate in some places and a hire boat company refusing to use it.

Running from Tiverton in Devon to the Somerset border the canal had become infested with the weed, with a spokesman for the Tiverton Canal Company stating that it is affecting visitors as boats have to keep stopping to attempt to clear their way, Alan Tilbury tells us.

Steam boats

In the past, steam boats have taken passengers on the waterway, but the owner is unable to operate due to the large amount of weed, so has refused to re-establish them to take visitors on trips.

The situation is so bad that the owners of the hire boats that are running have refused to take them through the bridges that are choked with weeds.