Part of Leeds & Liverpool adopted

THE new University Technical College, Visions Learnings Trust in Burnley, have taken up an ‘adopt a canal' initiative by the Canal & River Trust earlier this year.

We are told that it was in July that communities across England and Wales were invited to adopt mile long lengths of canal or river and help transform some of the Trust's waterways. Whilst the Trust still owns the canal and carries out year-round maintenance, including around £50 million of expenditure on canal repairs and conservation this winter, adoption groups are helping bring important added benefits to the waterways.

Tasks

The University Technical College is now helping the Trust care for a one mile stretch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal around Burnley's Weavers' Triangle. Set up just a month ago, the group will be taking on tasks such as cutting back over-grown vegetation along the towpath, painting locks, clearing graffiti and litter picking along the towpath.

Marilyn Pilkington from Visions Learning Trust explains the motivations for joining the adoption scheme:

"Victoria Mill, the home of Visions Learning Trust, backs onto the canal so it's right that we do our part in helping protect it. The canals don't get the right level of respect in some areas through a lack of care and respect and we want to change that in our own small way by looking after it throughout the year and really make a difference.

"Speaking to the Trust I realised there was an opportunity to join this adoption scheme so we decided to be proactive and increase our support. We'll mostly be focusing on doing a range of practical work which we hope will bring great benefits to other visitors of the canal."

At a hands-on level the Trust will work with the group to understand what work needs to be done, whether it's to record and improve wildlife habitats, maintain towpaths, help fundraise, run educational events or help combat anti-social behaviour.