It’s hard to believe that it has been over two months (6th June) since Peter Buck marked
out Lock 9A and work began. There has been steady progress with the work and
stringent safety procedures have been put in place every step of the way. The current
position is that the retaining wall is four block courses high and has been backfilled with
concrete. Water is still lying on the clay from the new works to the Sand Wharf making
the area very muddy for the machines, but it demonstrates how the old clay works.
Despite this, the top of the Sand Wharf was cleared of vegetation and the area was
levelled and cleaned up.
A gradual reduction of the level of the canal base has begun between the position of Lock
9A and the bridge by the Walsall Road. The channel will eventually have to be reduced
by almost two meters in order for the canal to get under the Walsall Road. The material
has been moved along the canal and the verges both sides of the new towpath levelled
and landscaped. This work is now been completed along the offside verge and almost
there on the larger nearside. A great deal of material has been dropped on the picnic area
to be. This will in time be levelled out to form a flat area for picnic tables where the
beauty of the area can be enjoyed by everyone.
Again the Summerhill team have worked closely with Roger’s Green team. In reality the
number of volunteers mean that there is only one team, but a very versatile and
determined team making great progress.
The site has seen an increase in the amount of casual visitor enjoying the fantastic walk
and the people interested in volunteering with the Trust.
The best way to see the work is to come an visit, anyone who has not been for a while
will be amazed by the progress, all thanks to the volunteers who deserve a big well done
award!
We need a final push to get things straight before the onset of Autumn, so if you're
interested in helping out, please get in touch."
Meanwhile down at Fosseway...
Who remembers all the brambles our Green and Grounds team cut back at Fosseway
earlier this year? Well look at it now, the brambles have gone and have been replaced by
wildflowers.
Photos by Paul Reeves, Uluru, Christine Howles
