The Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (LHCRT) has completed a 120-meter canal restoration, thanks to funding from HS2
HS2 provided £75,000 to the LHCRT to build a new canal section and revitalise the surroundings of Darnford Brook wetlands.
This involved the restoration of existing woodlands and hedgerows, improving the habitat for local wildlife. A public nature trail has also been added alongside the towpath.
The newly developed canal section also features ducts for electric boats, a move that will help reduce carbon emissions from diesel boats using the canal.
Helping the environment through canal restoration
“We are so grateful to HS2 for the CEF funding. It kickstarted our work at Darnford Moors Ecology Park with phase one of the project creating water and other new habitats on land running alongside the canal,” said Carol Mills, chair of LHCRT.
“This initiated a chain reaction to enable us to secure further funding for the other phases. We’re close to completing the project and will officially open the ecology park in the coming months, which will be an attractive green and blue space for local people to enjoy,” she added.
The canal restoration project is near where the HS2 railway will cross the canal. The railway also needs to pass underneath the West Coast Main Line.
In August, HS2 installed a 6,200-tonne bridge structure beneath the existing railway at Fulfen Wood.
HS2 aim to compensate for disruption
The HS2 Community and Environment Fund (CEF) offers financial support to communities located along the HS2 route and to organisations that have been disrupted by HS2’s construction.
HS2 funding will allocate up to £40m throughout the construction period of the rail network. The funding aims to support community-led projects that improve the environment, such as tree planting and energy-efficient measures.
The funds also help initiatives that benefit local communities, including the development of new community facilities or support for local heritage and cultural preservation.
“HS2’s green corridor programme aims to establish a series of connected habitats stretching along HS2’s line of route to benefit nature as well as local communities. LHCRT’s canal restoration is a brilliant project because it combines the two,” said David Prys-Jones, HS2’s biodiversity manager.
“Canals are really important habitats that provide homes for fish, invertebrates and other key species of plants and animals while remaining great places for local people and leisure,” he concluded.
