One of Manchester’s most iconic stretches of water has been tarnished by a ‘weird’ littering episode.
Yesterday, passersby noticed that traffic cones had been thrown into the Rochdale Canal. However, it was not just two or three of the cones which had been dumped in the waterway by Deansgate Locks.
In total, some 17 cones were lobbed into the water, under the Knott Mill Ironworks Bridge. Now, after the Manchester Evening News raised the issue with the Canal and Rivers Trust — the body which manages the city’s canals — it has confirmed that a clean-up operation is underway.
The Trust has also said the 17 orange cones — are just some of the ‘weird objects’ it has recovered from the water. More seriously, the charity says it costs £1m per year to clean up litter and rubbish.
“Over the last few years we’ve recovered lots of weird objects from the Rochdale canal,” a spokesperson told the M.E.N. “As a charity it costs about £1 million each year nationally to clear the dumped rubbish, funds that could be spent on improving wildlife habitats and ensuring the waterways are navigable for boaters.
“It is really upsetting to see litter and debris in the canal after recent surveys show that more people than ever are using towpaths as part of their daily exercise. It would be much better if the litter wasn’t there in the first place. We appeal to the public – take litter home. Don’t leave plastic bottles, glass and cans or throw them into the water!”
You can report problems, such as vandalism on canals and towpaths, to the Trust via its website.
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