All Set for Pocklington Canal Dredging Scheme

A dredging project aimed at improving water quality and encouraging rare aquatic plants to thrive on the Pocklington Canal is set to get underway, the Canal & River Trust informs.

The Trust is about to begin dredging more than 3.000 tonnes of silt from the canal to protect important habitats and maintain a wide diversity of aquatic plants.

Most of the canal is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because it offers ideal conditions for a variety of important aquatic plants to thrive.

The project will involve removing silt and reeds from the center of the canal to create open water within which more fragile plants can thrive.

With fewer reeds choking the canal more sunlight will also be able reach the water and encourage long dormant seed banks for some of the canal’s scarcer species to germinate.

The works will take place between Coates Bridge and Bielby Arm and have been scheduled to ensure that they are completed before birds start settling down to nest.

Work will start at the end of January and last for around 3 weeks.

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