A six-figure grant has boosted a Macclesfield group as they approach their 40th year.

The drought conditions in summer 2022 brought a number of challenges for the Macclesfield Canal.

However as Mr Duncan Learmond, Secretary of the Macclesfield Canal Society, told Macclesfield MP, David Rutley, during a recent visit, the temporary closure of parts of the canal provided the opportunity for a £200,000 major winter works repair project to be brought forward.

As a result, the group, founded in 1984, are better prepared should record temperatures come again to affect water levels.

Macclesfield Canal includes a number of impressive locks on the Bosley Flight and was due to close for several weeks in November for essential repairs to the lock's chambers funded by the Canal and River Trust.

When the locks were required to close in summer, due to the low water levels, to minimise the inconvenience to boaters, the works were completed early.

During this time, the Canal Society also had the opportunity to paint many of the locks build and erect bird boxes, which has seen an increase in Kingfishers and Woodpeckers in the area.

The team has also been busy hedge laying, using a heritage technique which creates much needed hedgerow habitats for small birds.

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These improvements to the locks and surrounding habitats were achieved through the hard work and collaboration of the Canal and River Trust, the local Macclesfield Canal Society and local volunteers, some of whom were involved through the corporate social responsibility programmes of local businesses.

In 2015, Macclesfield Canal was presented with a Green Flag Award, the first canal in the world to receive this prestigious award.

This award recognised the great work that has been done, and continues to be done along the canal to promote well maintained and clean green spaces, as well as community action to promote ecological policies and sustainable approaches.

The Green Flag award has been awarded to the canal every year since the initial recognition. And they hope to do so again for the forthcoming year.

Macclesfield: For more information on volunteering opportunities, head to the Macclesfield Canal Society website, or email [email protected].

Speaking after the visit, David said, "We are very lucky to have Macclesfield Canal on our doorstep. It is great to see how Macclesfield Canal Society has been very busy supporting the repairs of local locks, and also protecting the surrounding habitats and improving walk ways.

"The work the Society has been doing to maintain their Green Flag award status is highly commendable and I hope more local residents and businesses will join in future plans to further improve this great local community asset."

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