Bank staff clean up along the Ashton Canal

British Waterways will supervise a mighty band of around 180 volunteers from RBS. This team will undertake a wide range of improvement works, significantly improving the visitor appeal of this waterway corridor.

The day long event is scheduled for Wednesday 10 September at Fairfield Locks, and will improve the immediate environment through:

• towpath repairs;
• graffiti removal;
• vegetation management;
• building maintenance;
• landscaping;
• dry stone walling;
• wash wall repairs.

Project leader Steve Higham of British Waterways North West said the volunteers would be split into task groups with professional supervision from BW operational staff.

"The aim is to assist the continuing regeneration of this area by improving its physical appearance. An attractive environment is proven to attract more pedestrians and cyclists from the local community along with visitors from further afield," he said.

The towpath in the immediate vicinity between Grimshaws Swing Bridge and Ridgewater Bridge will be closed for the day to allow the works to proceed safely.

"This is a substantial amount of work involving a large number of people. We hope everyone will appreciate the end result," he added.

Find out more about the Ashton Canal

Find out how you can volunteer along your local canal or river