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City waterways 'in good shape'

20/11/2007

Manchester's waterways are in good health, according to a new nationwide study.

A survey by National Waterway Wildlife Survey discovered there have been various sightings of kingfishers in Manchester, which is a sign that rivers and canals are generally clean. Mallards, swans and herons are now also commonplace.

It is good news for Salford, Trafford and Manchester councils, which are planning to build a waterpark that runs beside the River Irwell.

Mark Robinson, British Waterways' national ecology manager, said that kingfishers are "an important indicator of the general health of the waterway ecosystem".

"Good populations of kingfishers - even in urban areas - show the important role waterways have in greening our towns and cities by providing wildlife corridors.

"[This] helps sustain populations of a variety of both common and endangered species including bats, water voles and otters."

Supermarket giant Tesco recently became the first-ever retail chain to make use of the Manchester Ship Canal to ship products from Liverpool to Salford.