The Rochdale Canal in Manchester city centre has been drained. Pictures showed chairs, traffic cones and a bike among the items that have sunk to the bottom of the canal after the water was partially removed ahead of a huge clean up operation.
The Canal and River Trust has confirmed vital repairs are being carried out to Lock 85, know as the 'Undercroft', near to Canal Street. Fish have also been removed as part of the works.
The old lock gates are being replaced with new handcrafted ones, along with other masonry works. A large clean up operation to rid the empty canal of debris and rubbish is being organised for early March, with volunteers encouraged to take part.
A Canal and River Trust spokesperson said: “The Canal and River Trust is carrying out vital repairs to Lock 85 know as the ‘Undercroft’ on the Rochdale Canal in Manchester city centre. As part of these works the canal has been partly drained and a fish rescue undertaken by specialist contractors.
"Our skilled team are now replacing old lock gates with new handcrafted ones and other masonry works will be done. These important works will help ensure that the Trust’s waterways can continue to be navigated by boats and remain vital green and blue spaces that are free to visit and benefit the millions of people who have a canal on their doorstep.
“We will also be doing a big clean up with our volunteers to remove all the debris and rubbish that’s built up in the canal."
Information on how to take part is available online at the Canal and River Trust website.
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