British Waterways has joined forces with a Bradford-based charity in the first waterway adoption scheme of its type in Yorkshire.

Youngsters who attend the Joint Activities & Motor education Service (JAMES) yesterday joined British Waterways staff at Bingley Five Rise Locks to unveil the initiative.

The young volunteers are to work alongside British Waterways’ staff on a two-mile stretch of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal to help with a variety of tasks including towpath repairs, painting lock gates and recording and improving wildlife habitats.

The scheme is one of a number being introduced as British Waterways transfers from the public sector to the so-called ‘third sector’ status following Government reforms.

Paul House, waterway supervisor for the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, said: “There’s a great deal of public support out there for the canals and we need to embrace that to safeguard them for the future. We’re really excited to be working with such an established charity group as JAMES.

“The tasks the group are working on are fun, active and will bring those additional benefits and improvements to our yearly maintenance programme.”

Other activities include promoting the waterway to local people, running events and guided walks and heritage recording.

  • Read the full story in Thursday's T&A