High water levels at Wendover

A couple of Wendover residents contacted the Wendover Arm Trust recently with concerns about the increased water level in the canal as a result of heavy and persistent rain which caused localised flooding of the towpath in places. Increased vegetation and erosion of the canal banks are partially to blame. The canal is owned and managed by the Canal & River Trust (C&RT), formerly British Waterways.

The Trust work closely with local C&RT engineers and have campaigned for reed cutting along the Wendover Arm from Wendover basin to Drayton Beauchamp as the channel is choked with plant life which impedes water flow. Work undertaken by C&RT contractors in conjunction with ecologists is scheduled to start imminently. The maintenance will be sympathetic to fish and wildlife, whilst opening up a channel for the water to flow along the Arm to Bulbourne (the reason the canal was built in the first place). If you have any questions or concerns about the maintenance work, please contact the Canal & River Trust office on 0303 040 4040 or you can email enquiries.southeast@canalrivertrust.org.uk