£1 million project to dredge Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Contractors for the Canal and River Trust have been working on the more than six-mile (11km) stretch of the canal from Niffany Farm in Skipton to East Marton since November.

Thousands of tonnes of sediment, built up over decades at the bottom of the canal, are being removed and will be used to rebuild sections of the bank, or used in farmers' fields.

Dredging of the canal improves the water quality, benefitting living conditions for fish and other wildlife.

The trust has also been dredging a section of the Springs Canal in Skipton, which recently suffered from flooding.

The trust, which is financing the project out of its annual maintenance grant, says it will bring benefits to the thousands who visit the canal every year in boats.

Mark Weatherall, senior project manager for the Canal and River Trust, said: “Our contractors, Land and Water, are currently carrying out a 11km dredging project between Skipton and East Marton.

"We estimate we’re likely to remove a huge 23,000 tonnes of sediment from the canal bed, part of which will be used for bank reinstatement or deposited as an agricultural benefit to the land. Both of these recycling options are cost-effective and environmentally-friendly disposal routes."

He said the project was scheduled to finish at the end of February.

Mr Weatherall added: “By removing huge quantities of sediment, we will improve water quality and oxygen levels. This will improve the environment for all wildlife in the canal corridor, including fish stocks.

“Additional works have also been commissioned outside the original scope to include a length east of Skipton and spot dredging the Springs Branch, which has suffered due to recent flood events."

And with the canal celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, the trust is expecting a busy time.

"The Leeds-Liverpool Canal is used by thousands of boats each year and their journeys will greatly benefit from this work," he said.