Historic canal being restored for boat trips

A trust is currently clearing a stretch of canal by Naish Hill

A "completely overgrown" canal is being restored to allow boats to use the historic waterway once again.

Volunteers at Wilts & Berks Canal Trust have cleared a third of a mile stretch by Naish Hill, on the edge of Lacock, Wiltshire.

The trust's longer-term aim is to restore the waterway between Chippenham and Melksham, and reconnect it with the Kennet & Avon Canal.

Howard Wilson, who volunteers for the trust, said it was an "exciting moment", he added: "There’s more work to be done but it demonstrates our continuing progress in bringing this wonderful waterway back to life."

“The Naish Hill section was completely overgrown so we had to clear several willow trees which had self-seeded in the canal bed," he added.

Once the work is complete, Naish Hill will be connected to the Pewsham stretch where the charity already has a wharf and is currently rebuilding a dry dock and carpenter’s workshop.

This would create around a mile of canal and towpath and "boost the popularity of the charity’s summertime boat trips", a trust spokesperson added.

The Naish Hill section was partially cleared almost 20 years ago but could not be maintained due to the charity’s limited resources.

However, the branch has been steadily recruiting more volunteers and hopes this latest project will inspire fresh support from the local community.

The longer-term aim is to continue the restoration along the bottom of Bowden Hill before joining the River Avon north of Melksham, where narrowboats would use the river to pass through the town centre.