Adopt a waterway for your community

That’s the challenge from the Canal and River Trust (CRT) which is urging local communities ito play a bigger part in looking after the waterways on their doorstep.

The call comes as part of the charity’s wider plans to ensure that Wigan’s waterways continue to thrive and don’t fall back into the dereliction of the mid-twentieth century, when some sections were almost lost forever.

Adoption groups will work in partnership with the Trust in order to make their local waterway shine; anything from improving wildlife habitats and access for local people, to creating a linear veg-patch for the community. Each group works at least one day a month for 12 months and agrees the projects they want to prioritise to make their mile matter.

To support the call, the Trust has published an online map that showcases existing adoption groups and areas that are available for people to support.

There are already over 160 adoption groups working across the country, including scouts, neighbourhood societies, running groups and schools.

“The aim is to get a quarter of the Canal & River Trust’s network (500 miles) adopted by 2025.

One volunteer, Darren Shepherd said: “If everyone took a little bit of time to collect a bit of litter now and again and volunteered a few hours a month then it can make a really nice impact to where you live.”

“It’s also a love;y way to spend some time outdoo

The Trust also has more informal volunteer opportunities including volunteer lock keeping and drop-in volunteering sessions.

More information is available at canalrivertrust.org.uk/volunteer

For full details of the volunteer map visit https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/adopt-a-canal