Restoration volunteers at Pewsham Locks are making faster progress thanks to a £10,000 grant which has funded a new mini dumper truck for the site.
The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust received the donation from a family foundation, which has asked to remain anonymous. The funding has allowed the charity to purchase an additional vehicle to support ongoing construction and maintenance along the historic waterway on the edge of Chippenham.
The new dumper is already proving its worth. Nick Baker, a volunteer with the Melksham, Chippenham & Calne branch who oversees training on the vehicles, said the team was “hugely grateful” for the support.
“The mini dumper truck has four-wheel-drive and is narrower than our other vehicles, which means it’s easier to take along the towpath,” he said. “It also has a swivel skip, which is great in tight spaces.
“We’ve been using it to carry bricks, concrete blocks and bags of cement for the construction of the dry dock and the new bridge across the top lock, and to transport tools and equipment for repairs to Double Bridge at the other end of the restored canal.
“It’s comfortable, reliable and very manoeuvrable - it’s already become the ‘go-to’ dumper for all the volunteers.”
Pewsham Locks once formed a flight of three locks lifting narrowboats by around 30 feet. The Trust has so far restored more than a mile of canal towards Lacock and runs public tripboats from March to October.
The long-term goal is to continue the restoration southwards to link with the planned Melksham Link, creating a new through-route to the Kennet & Avon Canal near Semington. Ultimately, the charity hopes to reinstate the entire Wilts & Berks Canal through Calne, Royal Wootton Bassett and Swindon, reconnecting with the Thames & Severn Canal near Cricklade and the River Thames near Abingdon.
The Trust says new members and volunteers are always welcome.
More information is available at wbct.org.uk.
Photo: Volunteer Nick Baker with the new mini dumper truck at Pewsham Locks. Photo by Justin Guy.
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