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Canal & River Trust seek volunteers to operate bridges

BBC Sims swing bridge near Quedgely, managed by the Canal and River TrustBBC
The canal connects Gloucester to Sharpness, allowing boats to bypass a treacherous stretch of the River Severn

The UK's largest waterways charity is seeking volunteers to help operate swing bridges along a canal.

The Canal & River Trust are appealing for bridge support rangers to keep the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal running smoothly.

The charity look after 2,000 miles of canals and rivers across England and Wales, and say it requires a lot of "team effort".

Volunteer lead, Cassie Ward, says the help makes a "huge difference".

Bridge support rangers are responsible for opening the swing bridges to allow boats to pass through, as well as interacting with the public and ensuring people are kept safe near the water.

"As a charity, we are focusing our resources on our key work to keep the canals open for boats, people, and wildlife," said area operations manager, James Ryan.

"The bridge support ranger role is a great way to meet people, learn new skills and give something back to the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal and the heritage and wildlife that it supports," he added.

The Gloucester and Sharpness Canal
Traffic along the canal includes commercial boats and visitor pontoons, as well as hotel boats and tall ships

Opening in 1827, the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal was once the broadest and deepest canal in the world, but is still recognised for its impressive scale and engineering.

Its 18 swing bridges run down the entire 16 mile (25km) length of the canal, running from Gloucester Docks to the village of Purton.

"It's an aging network, but our volunteers make a huge difference," said Cassie Ward, the Trust's volunteer lead.

"Without them, we wouldn't be able to maintain the canal. It's just a really great way to get and out about in your local community and make a difference," she added.

Current volunteer, Peter Cook, added: "I just wanted a new activity as I move into retirement, and I saw this as effectively helping to keep the brain cells alive.

"It's a new skill and I thought 'nothing ventured, nothing gained' so I thought I'd sign up for it."

Bridge support ranger volunteers will be provided with a full health and safety briefing, as well as bridge operation training.

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