Nature lovers stop restoration

NATURE lovers together with a local landowner have stopped restoration of Norfolk's only canal by bringing in the might of the Environment Agency.

At the event at Ebridge Mill on North Walsham and Dilham Canal, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Act of Parliament which allowed the waterway to be built, the many visitors learned that nature lovers together with a local landowner had brought in the Environment Agency to stop clearance of the disused canal bed, Alan Tilbury reveals.  The photograph shows a derelict lock on the canal.

Support

The mill pond had been restored by members of the North Walsham and Dilham Canal Trust, and further work was hoped to be undertaken after the trust had obtained over 250 signatures supporting the trust's work in restoring the canal.

The nature people objected to trees being felled and dredging being undertaken, and caused a stop notice to be issued until talks had been held.  The trust however had reintroduced water to the mill pond that had attracted wildlife.

Future work

The East Anglian Waterways Association, organises monthly volunteer restoration work parties on the canal, with a bridge and a lock scheduled for future work.

The North Walsham and Dilham Canal, nine miles long with six locks, is recognised as Norfolk's only true canal, as against its Broads.  The waterway runs from the Ant at Smallborough through to Swafield, and was used by small lighters, as it was not deep enough for the Norfolk wherries.