During the last year, many people than have come to walk beside the lovely Grantham Canal, enjoying nature and the wildlife along its course. It has, over 2020 become extremely popular.
But all is not well for the canal and its wildlife, there is concern that the canal is changing from the lovely haven we appreciate.
Over decades, as a disused canal it has been low on the priorities for maintenance by the Canals and Rivers Trust, it has not received necessary maintenance. Now classed as ‘a drain’, it has not been dredged for several decades, there are many leaks and many maintenance issues have arisen throughout the canals journey through the Vale of Belvoir.
This became clear last summer near to Kinoulton, when after being flooded in February, by July, this section of the canal was for the first time completely dry. Water fowl gone, and the fish dead, and weeds growing on the bottom of the canal.
Many factors that have led up to this. The Grantham Canal Society’s General Manager, Tony Osbond, and colleagues are concerned about many issues, and have raised these with the Canals and Rivers Trust. The troubles emanate as far away as the Belvoir Estate.
Problems include:
- 2 serious leaks
- Blocked feeder channels, including the major feeder from Knipton Reservoir on the Belvoir estate leading to serious reduction in water entering the canal.
- Large volumes of reeds acting as dams preventing water flow.
- Changes made to the banks made by some landowners.
These problems in so many places along the entire stretch of the canal, will take time and resources to restore. Happily, there are some promises from the Canals and Rivers Trust to tackle the reeds, and to try and repair leaks. However extra finance and volunteers to help will be needed.
As a result of East Midlands Today running a feature on the loss of water in August, a group started to look at addressing the many issues and restoring the canals water. The Grantham Water Restoration Group chaired by the Chairman of Kinoulton Parish Council comprises of six local councillors, a county councillor, and the Grantham Canal Society. Although there are formidable challenges there is hope too that in the long term, we can get water restored as far as Wilde’s Bridge (between Kinoulton and Owthorpe).
Our goal is to bring the canal back to the attractive waterway we know and love, so it may remain a home to many forms of wildlife, and a lovely leisure resource for people.
Should you wish to help, please contact the Grantham Canal Society at: [email protected]. Tony Osbond, the General Manager of the Grantham Canal Society can be contacted concerning volunteering at [email protected].