Ecology on the Monty

AT THE recent Montgomery Canal Forum that showcased The Opportunities of Restoration, it seemed once again boaters came  off second best.

Organised by the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust, its Chairman Michael Limbrey opened the proceeding bringing attention to the  recent opening of the Droitwich Canal, where many had spoken of the benefits the restoration of that canal would bring to Droitwich and the wider area.

Benefits

Representatives of various councils spoke of the benefits of other restorations including the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and Rochdale Canal, and the enthusiastic organisations behind them.

However Alex Ball, British Waterways' Montgomery Canal Development Manager, was more concerned with 128 listed structures and 'special ecological designations for its natural environment', and the need for more nature reserves to ensure the protection of canal habitats, and the need to  safeguard valuable ecology. The picture shows the Aston Nature Reserve that was forced on the restorers.

Once again, the needs of boaters were of secondary importance to the British Waterways representative.