Neglected areas of the West Midlands’ iconic canal network are being transformed into urban nature sites to boost wildlife and create attractive places for local people to walk, run, and cycle. More than seven miles of canals running out of Birmingham and into the Black Country are being enhanced thanks to £100,000 from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). This initiative is part of the Canal & River Trust’s Wild Waterways project.

Key locations for the improvement work include:

• A one-and-a-half mile stretch of James Brindley’s 21 locks through Wolverhampton, built in 1771.
• – The 200-year-old Walsall Lock Flight on the Walsall Canal.
• – Four miles of Brindley’s Birmingham Old Canal Mainline out of the city centre, up to the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital.

The project will see new trees, shrubs, wildflower, and wildlife habitat areas planted, with existing ones significantly improved. Regular litter picking patrols will also be introduced. Local volunteers will carry out the initial work, and community groups are encouraged to get involved to help maintain these historic routes.

Julianne Joyce, community coordinator for the Canal & River Trust, added: “Our canals are such fantastic, biodiverse places to be, and funding like this is so important in making sure they remain accessible and attractive for local people and boaters.”

The WMCA has supported 55 charities and community groups with more than £1.6 million of environment funding, improving the lives of over 500,000 people and enhancing new nature sites. This funding for the Canal & River Trust’s Wild Waterways project comes from the WMCA’s Community Environment Fund, part of the Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund.