The Community Canals Project

Duration: December 2026

Background

This 12-month pilot project will bring together residents, community organisations and landowners to begin restoring and reimagining the canal corridor through Darcy Lever, Little Lever, Kearsley and surrounding areas of Bolton.

What Groundwork are doing

We will be leading the project in partnership with Bolton at Home and the Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal Society (MBBCS). Our work will include:

  • Habitat restoration: we will carry out surveys of the canal and surrounding habitat in partnership with the Canal and River Trust to understand its current condition and to help plan what restoration is needed.
  • Engagement, consultation and celebration: we will host a series of guided walks led by local experts to help people discover the area’s natural and historical heritage.
  • Community facilities: through a co-design process, we’ll work with residents to develop plans for and pilot the installation of community facilities to create welcoming spaces and two dedicated community gardens that encourage people to spend more time by the canal.
  • Recruiting volunteers: we will establish a strong volunteer network to take part in volunteer wildlife safaris and citizen science initiatives.

Funders & partners

The Canal Communities Project is made possible thanks to funding from Bolton Community and Voluntary Services.