Wildlife along the Trent & Mersey Canal
Otters have recently been spotted in the canal and local councils have begun to provide stop-off otter holts (dens) to encourage them.
Water voles have also been seen and it is hoped that they will return in numbers.
Around Harecastle Tunnel, in Kidsgrove, the canal has a curious orange hue caused by ochre - the result of years of mining. Many canal enthusiasts appreciate this 'local colour', but its effect on wildlife is less beneficial. The Coal Authority has announced plans to clean up the canal here and return it to a more natural state.
'Flashes' - where the canal suddenly widens into a miniature lake - are a common sight along the canal through Cheshire. The heavy salt mining in the area caused the ground to subside, so that former agricultural land was submerged under the canal water level. These flashes are not navigated by boats and so encourage a different ecosystem to thrive "off the main line".
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Fradley Junction »
Address: Fradley Junction, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire DE13 7DN
Tel: 01827 252000
Services: Leisure attraction | Nature reserve | Visitor centre | Restaurant | Cafe | Pubs + bars | Boat hire
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Shugborough Estate »
Address: Shugborough Estate, Staffordshire ST17 0XB
Tel: 01889 881388
Services: Garden | Historic building | Country park
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The Narrowboat »
Address: The Narrowboat, 22 Lewin Street, Middlewich, Cheshire CW10 9AS
Tel: 01606 738087
Services: Garden | Historic building | Restaurant | Pubs + bars | Cottages & hotels
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