Dozens of people have joined forces to spread the message "Save Our Canal" following weeks of low water levels threatening wildlife.
In recent months, a drastic drop in water levels of the Sankey Canal has caused a crisis for the local ecosystem. Previous footage and images shared with the ECHO shows the extent of the issue in Widnes, with large Carp left in inches of water, and boats on the canal having beached.
Concerned residents have banded together in an attempt to get help from the council to save the canal - forming the "Save Our Sankey Canal" Facebook page. On Saturday, dozens of people came together to show their support with an organised peaceful gathering.
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Organiser Jay Scott said: "We are hoping something can be done. We wanted something hard-hitting to raise awareness and we want people, if they can, to come forward with solutions.
"The main thing Halton Council are saying is a lack of funds and lack of water source, but if we can help find this, we can get something done. The state of disrepair the canal is in at the moment, we have been forced to take wildlife out.
"It's about raising awareness, if anyone can do anything to help, to step in in any way then please help us. We have a meeting with the council on Monday which is a chance for us to put forward our questions.
"So far we've had a phenomenal response, it's been unbelievable. We've had people from all over England show their support and who have come down to see the canal after we have shared the current state. It's attracting attention and I'd like to thank everyone for their support."
Images taken by our ECHO photographer, show dozens of dedicated residents show their support along the canal on Saturday afternoon. With signs such as "Save Our Canal" and "Save Spike Island", people of all ages joined forces to help raise the much-needed awareness.
Last month, wildlife lovers donned wellies to move swans to deeper waters in another town. A post on social media said the swan rescue took place following discussions with officials. Now, volunteers from the group are out everyday, rescuing and relocating stranded fish and animals.
Previously the canal was supplied by fresh water pumped in from further along the canal by Fiddlers Ferry power station, but the coal-fired plant was switched off in March 2020 as part of the Government’s drive to meet its climate goals.
Halton Borough Council previously released a statement regarding the canal at Spike Island, as they say they want to see the area thrive. The statement read: "The Council is aware of the peaceful ‘Save our Sankey Canal’ gathering planned for the weekend.
"Like those planning to attend the gathering and others who have raised their concerns over social media, the Council too wants the Sankey Canal and Spike Island to be thriving locations enjoyed by the whole community. Likewise, the Council also wants to see water in the canal and continues to work to find a permanent and sustainable solution."
Leader of Halton Borough Council Cllr Mike Wharton added the low water levels would be used as an opportunity to "carry out a range of repairs and improvements that would have previously been extremely difficult to do". At the same time, rescue of fish will continue as well as work to clear out accumulating rubbish.
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