Canal and River clean up to take months after Storm Darragh
It's after heavy winds across the West Midlands nearly two weeks ago caused chaos and disruption.
We're hearing it could be months into the canals and rivers in the West Midlands are cleaned up after Storm Darragh.
Strong winds caused chaos and disruption across the entire region , bringing down hundreds of trees.
The clean-up operation's down to the charity Canal and River Trust.
So far, they've removed 400 trees from our waterways, with the estimated cost being over £100,000.
As a result of this, they've launched a campaign named the "Perfect Storm" to help fundraise funds aiding them with the clean-up operation and protect waters for the future.
Henriette Breukelaar, regional Director of the West Midlands at Canal & River Trust, said: “Our region’s ageing canals are a national treasure.
"They have been repurposed for modern society for leisure, recreation and for their wildlife, supporting thousands of jobs and the economy and saving the NHS over £1 billion annually because of the health and wellbeing benefits they bring to millions of people.
"And whilst the canal network is cherished by today’s society, it is, however, also facing a perfect storm, with costs rising and support from government reducing.
“As we head into winter, and as we have faced devastation from both Storm Bert and Storm Darragh in the last few weeks, we’re bracing ourselves for more costly damage from extreme weather but also working to make these aged former transport routes, and the wildlife they support, as resilient as possible.
"Our specialist teams of skilled workers and volunteers will be working in shifts, carrying out heritage conservation works, and fighting to respond to the storms that are becoming ever more common.
"Keeping the canals open and safe requires millions of pounds and a year-round effort. We’re talking to government about the need for an active partnership, and we’re calling on people to donate and help us safeguard our canals and rivers for the future.”
You can find out more about their campaign here.