Duckweed in Walsall town centre canal basin cleared as safety review under way

Experts have cleared 30 bags’ worth of green duckweed from the surface of a canal basin in Walsall town centre, amid concerns the green ‘carpet’ on the water posed safety concerns.

The Canal & River Trust said the green plants that have coated the canal’s surface are duckweed, a naturally occurring plant that thrives in warmer temperatures and can multiply rapidly. The Walsall Canal weed has been removed using the trust’s new weed boat alongside Sister Dora, a boat provided by Walsall Council.

Although harmless to people in itself, the weed forms a thick green carpet across the surface of the water, trapping litter and creating an unsightly appearance. If left unchecked it can harm aquatic wildlife by blocking sunlight and reducing oxygen levels in the water.

In addition the thick layer of green plants had caused the water to be mistaken for grass by some. Residents and businesspeople, who originally thought the green plants to be algae, called for barriers to be put in place around the basin to prevent people from falling into the canal.

The trust told the Express & Star it is installing grab lines around the basin to improve safety and is “working closely with Walsall Council” to determine whether other measures can be taken.

A man whose sister drowned in the canal earlier this year called for barriers to be installed as a matter of urgency.

Thirty-eight-year-old Jody Brown was pulled from the canal basin off Wolverhampton Street in the early hours of May 3. Her older brother Paul Clarke said said CCTV footage showed Jody walking along the edge of the canal before she fell in, and that people fall in the water “all the time”.

The New Art Gallery in Walsall is next to the canal and Alex Jolly, head of visitor experience, commented on the danger a lack of barriers poses to visitors.

Before the duckweed was removed Mr Jolly told the Express & Star: “I know that the [weeds] have looked like grass or a turfed area in the past and people have stepped onto it, thus falling into the canal!

“Our front-of-house staff and Costa staff have supported wet and shaken people in the past with foil blankets and hot chocolate. I know of this happening perhaps three or four times since I started at the gallery in 2021, but can’t say how many for sure.”

The Canal & River Trust said: “We will continue to keep the weed under control, and we will closely monitor the basin to ensure any regrowth is dealt with promptly, helping to keep the area safe and accessible for local people and boaters.”

Regarding calls for barriers, a trust spokesperson said: “A number of safety measures are already in place at the basin, including new signage, a safety buoy, a boat available to service the basin, rescue equipment, and a yellow painted edge margin to improve the visibility of the waterside edge.

“We will shortly be installing grab lines around the water line to assist with the rescue of anyone who enters the water, providing an additional safety measure.

“We are working closely with Walsall Council to explore whether any further improvements could be installed. Once this review has been finalised, we hope to be able to provide a further update.”

Walsall Council has been approached for comment regarding the calls for barriers.