Historic canal gets a big clean-up

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MEMBERS of the Sankey Canal Restoration Society (SCARS) have been busy cleaning up the canal at Sankey Bridges, Warrington– and have painted the old swing bridge for the first time in 21 years.
It was the third time since May that volunteers from the society, joined by local residents and other canal enthusiasts, have been working on the section of the waterway near the access to the Transpennine Trail.
They cleared away weeds and other unwanted vegetation to expose the original canal structure, mechanism and paving around the old bridge.
When  the canal was still open to navigation, the swing bridge provided a “back-up” to the original lifting bridge which carried traffic along Liverpool Road when it was out of action.
The Sankey Canal wasd the first modern industrial canal in England – predating the Bridgewater by four years when it opened in 1757.
A SCARS spokesperson said: “It is a huge part of Warrington’s cultural legacy. Clean-up days like these help to keep the heritage on our  doorstep alive and visible to both residents and visitors, as well as to attract people to the work of the society.
“Monthly work parties are held on a Sunday at various locations, as well as on the last Wednesday of the month at Spike Island, Widnes.
“With more volunteers getting involved, SCARS can do even more to look after and promote the canal along its whole length.”
The society’s next outing will be at Winwick on Sunday, August 13 – although they have a stand at Penketh Gala this Saturday, July 8.


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