What's the point of coir rolls?

I HAVE just finished a three weeks cruise on my narrowboat that included the Oxford Canal, and just cannot understand the need for all those coir rolls that are being installed on the towpath side of the canal, writes T Lang.

Looking at the information given out by Canal & River Trust it says they are to safeguard the bank and eventually provide sanctuary for insects when the vegetation they contain grows.

Cluttered with vegetation

From what I can see the banks where they are being installed seem very stable indeed compared to other sections and on both sides from where they have turned it into mud  is solid.

Both sides of the canal are cluttered with vegetation, in fact at one place there is dense undergrowth going back yards, so why on earth do they believe insects want more?

Leave dangerous spikes

And we all know that the security of these coir rolls leaves a great deal to be desired, as they finish up drifting down the canals with dangerous spikes left sticking out of the water.  I well remember those when they re-opened the Rochdale Canal, that I believe you included a picture.

And of course they prevent boats being able to moor.

From all points of view they are a complete waste of money, serve absolutely no purpose but perhaps satisfy some totally misinformed idiot sat in an office somewhere, who really hasn't a clue.