Ashby Canal Trench Sheeting Installation at Snarestone (Badger Mitigation Works)

A section of Ashby canal, close to Snarestone Wharf, has been encroached upon by a large family badger sett, this presents a serious possibility of a breach to the canal. Various options were considered in order to mitigate the risk of a breach caused by the badgers burrowing up to the bank of the Ashby canal. As Badgers are a protected species, there are specific challenges and timescale constraints which mean that the work that is needed to give the canal structural integrity must be expedited. An ecologist was contracted to assess the possible mitigation solutions and assess any effect on the badgers or their sett.

The Council have appointed a contractor to undertake the following; • Remove the existing temporary dam to allow commencement of the works. • Install sheet piles to create a new bank. • Install gabion baskets between the piles and existing bank. • Install a new tow path along the edge of the newly created bank.