Lancaster Canal Trust aims to reopen the northern 14 miles of the Lancaster Canal, abandoned and blocked by the M6 motorway and other new roads built in the 1960s. The first nine miles from Tewitfield to Stainton are still in water, and a trip boat operates at Stainton.

By rewatering sections north from there, the Trust can show some physical progress towards its ultimate aim, and in the meantime extend the range of the trip boat operation.  Having completed its ‘First Furlong’ project to rewater 200 metres of dry canal from Stainton towards Kendal, the Trust plans to reinstate the next 360 metres. But first it needs to find out whether the clay lining will hold water – so it needs to be uncovered, temporarily flooded in sections separated by dams, and tested for leaks.

The work for this Camp will be clearing small trees and other vegetation from the dry bed of the canal at Stainton, then clearing away 50-250 mm of soil to uncover the clay lining of the canal.  Other work will include clearance of branches overhanging the towpath, biodiversity work including installation of bird boxes and habitat piles, and fencing work.