CANAL boaters are staying afloat thanks to a group of volunteers who have successfully repaired one of the borough’s waterways – saving a charity around £20,000 in the process.
Usually tasked with keeping trains safely running on the rail network, a team of eight volunteers from Network Rail helped the Canal and River Trust to ensure Oxford Canal users in Rugby can keep cruising.
The volunteers – who usually work in office-based and operational roles for Network Rail’s West Coast South route and Capital Delivery team – cleared out a clogged up and overgrown canal feeder channel, which runs from streams or rivers to keep man-made waterways at the correct levels.
It was estimated that the work carried out by the railway crew saved the charity around £20,000.
Ellen Wintle, Network Rail’s West Coast South infrastructure director, said: “It’s been great to get out and help the Canal and River Trust in Rugby as part of Network Rail’s commitment to volunteer in local communities.
“Our two organisations share lots of similar challenges in that both the railway and canal networks were built by the Victorians for mass transportation.
“We know the importance of keeping such historic infrastructure up to scratch for the 21st century, so we’re really glad our hard graft has helped save the charity £20,000 which can be spent on its other vital waterway improvements.”
