Historic Canal Undergoing Restoration for Boat Navigation

A “completely overgrown” canal is currently being restored to enable boats to utilize the historic waterway once again. Volunteers associated with the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust have cleared a third of a mile section near Naish Hill, located on the periphery of Lacock, Wiltshire. The trust’s long-term objective is to restore the waterway between Chippenham and Melksham, and to re-establish its connection with the Kennet & Avon Canal. Howard Wilson, a volunteer for the trust, characterized the moment as “exciting.” He added, “There’s more work to be done but it demonstrates our continuing progress in bringing this wonderful waterway back to life.” Wilson further stated, “The Naish Hill section was completely overgrown so we had to clear several willow trees which had self-seeded in the canal bed.” Once the current work is finished, the Naish Hill section will be linked to the Pewsham stretch, where the charity already possesses a wharf and is presently rebuilding a dry dock and a carpenter’s workshop. This undertaking is expected to create approximately a mile of canal and towpath, and “boost the popularity of the charity’s summertime boat trips,” a trust spokesperson indicated. The Naish Hill section was partially cleared almost 20 years ago, but maintenance could not be sustained due to the charity’s limited resources at the time. However, the branch has been consistently recruiting more volunteers and anticipates that this latest project will inspire renewed support from the local community. The extended aim is to continue the restoration along the base of Bowden Hill before it joins the River Avon north of Melksham, where narrowboats would then use the river to traverse the town centre.