Home / Environment / Floating Tractors Battle Invasive Weeds
Floating Tractors Battle Invasive Weeds
4 Nov
Summary
- Specialist machines called Truxors remove aquatic weeds.
- Over £150,000 is being spent on the weed removal effort.
- Approximately 30 tonnes of weeds are cleared weekly.
A significant operation is underway to clear invasive aquatic weeds from waterways in north-west England. The Canal & River Trust is utilizing specialized machinery called Truxors, described as "floating tractors," to manage problematic plants such as duckweed, floating pennywort, and azolla. This initiative involves an investment exceeding £150,000.
These fast-growing weeds can impede boat traffic by wrapping around propellers and starve underwater plants of essential light. They also deplete oxygen levels crucial for fish and other wildlife, impacting species like kingfishers and otters. The Truxors effectively cut and collect about 30 tonnes of weeds each week.
The trust's extensive weed clearance program targets various locations, including the Ribble Link near Preston, sections of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Lancashire, and parts of the Shropshire Union Canal. This ongoing effort is vital for maintaining navigation for boaters and preserving the ecological health of the region's waterways throughout the year.
