Towpath Task Force teams

THERE is still a shortage of volunteers, as Canal & River Trust is now attempting to organise Towpath Task Force teams asking people from waterside communities to volunteers to help look after their waterways.

The new teams will offer regular volunteering opportunities, with the end aim 'to bring significant benefits to waterside communities and the waterways themselves'.

 

Little regard

This is in place of the yearly Towpath Tidy events, with volunteers clearing up the rubbish, but which alas soon returns, as the public, particularly in the towns and cities have little regard for the state of their environment.

Matt Taylor, Volunteer co-ordinator for the Trust, explains:

"We've seen a massive rise in volunteering over the last four years and we want to provide easy opportunities for people to turn up with no previous experience, meet existing volunteers and learn about other opportunities to get involved.

"Previously we've held annual Towpath Tidy events—however, these new Towpath Taskforce teams are designed to be regular, accessible and engaging so local communities can take on more ownership of their local waterway.

"There will be a variety of tasks specific to the need of the individual waterway and there's always something to suit everyone."

The Towpath Taskforce teams will undertake regular physical work on the towpath including painting lock gates, improving access to the towpath, clearing overgrown vegetation and cleaning up litter and graffiti.