Lengths Person Volunteer

Our teams each cover approximately 1 kilometre stretch of the canal and provide our first line of defence in looking after the canal. It is expected that they patrol their length at least once a fortnight and send a report into to the volunteer managers of Stroud District Council (SDC) and Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT) in order that they can action any reports.

The Lengths persons are highly visible in their hi viz tabards. They have become a regular and welcoming presence on the canal, acting as canal ambassadors, guides and sources of information. By having an intimate knowledge of their patch, the Lengths persons have become the eyes and ears of the maintenance teams and are respected and greatly valued.

The duties for a Lengths person have been written by experienced Canal managers and refined in the light of experience. Here are their key duties:

• Inspection at least every 2 weeks.
• Checking for sudden changes in water level.
• Looking for obvious leaks.
• Looking for potential breaches.
• Reporting* on the state of the towpath surface.
• Spotting and reporting* any sources of pollution.
• Looking for and reporting* fallen trees.
• Looking for and reporting* channel obstructions.
• Reporting* condition of boundary fencing or walls, including graffiti.
• Collecting, segregating and disposing of litter as well as reporting* hot spot litter areas.
• Reporting* and / or marking dog fouling.
• Trimming any overhanging vegetation especially brambles.
• Reporting* any presence of INNS (Invasive Non-Natural Species) - Reporting obvious deterioration to structures.
• Support the canal authorities with emergency procedures such as flooding prevention.
•  Act as an Ambassador with the general public promoting the canal, updating them on news, answering questions and encouraging support.

(*Reporting to Lengths persons coordinator)

Length persons are kitted out with a litter picker, litter bag ring, polythene bags, yellow bio degradable spray paint, secateurs and Hi Viz tabard.

There are 15 lengths that cover the whole of the current canal reinstatement (Phase 1) from Saul Junction to Bourne Lock.

Length patrols take approximately 2 hours and must be carried out fortnightly at a time to suit you.

The role can be carried out alone, however, we can pair you up with a volunteer if you prefer or you are welcome to take along a friend or family member.

Our Length persons are all ages, both male and female and from differing backgrounds but all bring a compulsive enthusiasm and pride in the job.

If your preferred length already has cover, volunteers can join a reserve list to cover during times of volunteer absence or for when a space becomes available.            

Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT) trains and equips the Length person with the necessary simple tools and provides clear instructions as to what is expected of them.

A familiarity with the canal route is helpful but mainly we provide a friendly approach to visitors and encourage them to become members!

It is useful for volunteers to cover areas close to their home, but this is not essential.