Volunteers achieve further millstones in Montgomery Canal restoration despite challenging weather

Volunteers have worked through freezing temperatures with bonfires to keep them warm to improve the channel, plant vital hedgerows, and prepare for further work in the coming weeks.

During the Shropshire Union Canal Society's most recent work party between February 7 and 9, volunteers cleared 170 metres of channel scrub, planted 720 hedging whips, and an additional 74 metres of hedge was laid, continuing efforts to enhance the landscape.

Approximately half of the length of the channel between Crickheath Bridge and Schoolhouse Bridge is now in water.

In January it was reported that water reached a level not seen since around 1934 at the Crickheath Tramway Wharf.

Tom Fulda, restoration project manager said: "During this time 170 metres of channel has been cleared of scrub, 720 hedging whips have been planted, a further 74 metres of hedge has been laid, and bonfires have kept us warm during some very chilly weather.

"And, although spared the severe frost and ice of the January work party the weather on this occasion was still 'uninviting' damp and grey with a bone-chilling easterly breeze."

In addition to their environmental programme, another milestone was reached during the latest work party which was not possible in January in freezing weather.

Having first raised the level of the Phase 1A temporary dam as mitigation against future storm surges, the pipe connection between Phases 1A and 1B past the farm crossing was deployed during the most recent works. 

Volunteers were pleased to see that Phase 1B of the canal is now completely full. 

Beyond the re-watered sections, work continues to profile the channel ready for lining next month - weather permitting. SUCS reported that 100 metres has now been completed. 

The channel in this area widens on a bend, and the offside bank is now "slightly below" the required height above water level. 

SUCS said there is more work to do with profiling the channel which may require some trial-and-error adjustment, but significant progress has been made so far.