Floating tractors' clean up weed-choked waterways

The Canal & River Trust is using “Truxors,” weed-harvesting machines, to clear aquatic weeds across waterways in north-west England, including areas around Wigan and stretches of the Ribble Link and Leeds & Liverpool Canal. The charity is spending more than £150,000 on the operations to remove plants such as duckweed, floating pennywort and azolla, which can form thick mats, reduce light for underwater vegetation and lower oxygen levels for fish and wildlife. The trust says the weeds can also wrap around boat propellers, blocking navigation. During work near Wigan, staff said the machines cut and collect weeds, removing about 30 tonnes each week. Targeted sites also include parts of the Shropshire Union Canal in Cheshire.