THE Lapal Canal Trust was recently fortunate to host 12 volunteers from the Waterway Recovery Group for a week to help with restoration work on the Dudley No 2 Canal in Selly Oak Park.
They took on the task of starting work on an accessibility path linking the towpath to the bridge built in 1797 over the canal.
When the canal is restored the bridge will be a turnover bridge linking the towpath to the park. It’s planned that the WRG will return to complete the lower ramp; the main task of building the upper ramp and platform has been completed.
This year accommodation was provided free of charge on the Aston Campus by Unite Students who stepped in as the usual venue was double booked this year. Unite Students had previously donated £20,000 towards the recently completed Whitehouse Wharf.
Special thanks also go to David Evans, team leader for his organisation and project management helped by Paul Harrowsmith. Also the many donors who funded the materials and the Inland Waterways Association and its volunteers, helped during the week by Peter Fisher, technical officer of the Lapal Canal Trust.
The Lapal Trust also thanks the many individuals and organisations who gave their support: Mitchell Fellows, general manager of Unite Students, who arranged the accommodation and friendly neighbour Michael Winwood who provided a water connection and toilet access. Sue Amey, district parks manager, arranged permission for the work and Lee Pace of Travis Perkins arranged delivery of materials. Nadyia Shafiq of Aston University Campus Safety arranged free parking for the week.
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