Canal's clean bill of health

Environmental scientists for British Waterways have given Audlem's canal a clean bill of health following complaints at the amount of foam and scum gathering at lock gates over the Christmas period.

Waterways environmental expert Rob Squires, who investigated the matter, admitted that the foam problem in the canal at Audlem is on-going and the situation will continue be monitored.

But he added: "The foam isn't harmful and there have been no reported incidents of harm to wildlife in the area. It is likely that the foam is caused by the high turbidity of the water there.

"At this time of year, it is probably made worse by pesticides off adjoining land and also through lack of boat movement breaking up the foam and allowing it to wash down the waterway."

British Waterways were alerted to high levels of canal foam that formed during the big freeze in the weeks before Christmas. Towers of foam built up between lock number four to lock number twelve, under the Audlem bridge, as surface ice prevented it being washed away.

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