A project to open up a wildlife corridor and install a public footpath in Sandbach is one step closer – after hours of volunteer work.

Sandbach Woodland and Wildlife Group (SWWG) bid for money to help the project through Spacehive  

https://www.spacehive.com/sandbach-canal-footpath and has so far raised £2,233.

Now the project, which takes place on weekends, is fast gathering pace after more than 350 hours of volunteer hours.

Hardworking volunteers have been restoring an uneven and obstructed public footpath along the Trent and Mersey canal bank opposite Wheelock Wharf.

Pieces of pottery found buried on the path

The project will connect people to the tranquil woods and wildlife in the Sandbach wildlife corridor - a distinctive set of local woodlands with over 2km of woodland pathways.

And SWWG chairman, Jonathan Grainger, is thrilled with the work and hours of volunteering which has already taken place.

He said: "We have worked in all weathers including one of the hottest weekends. The volunteers have worked really hard and we're pleased with what has been done so far."

The footpath, which had become uneven and overgrown precarious from years of natural erosion, was previously almost impossible to walk along.

The group has found all sorts of things whilst digging up the ground to lay the footpath, including bits of old pottery thrown off from boats passing through years ago.   

Sandbach Woodland and Wildlife Group say there will be lots of benefits to for the public from the project.

"The public will benefit from using the restored path through a healthy and changing natural environment," they say.

"This tranquil canal side environment enhances mental wellbeing to those people accessing the free to use assets often overlooked in our day-to-day routines.

"Meanwhile the plants and trees quietly help absorb the excessive CO2. Sandbach has a successful network of footpaths supported by several walking groups.

"This specific project will provide access to more circular routes and a convenient entry point to explore the wildlife corridor."

And SWWG say once they have finished the Wheelock Wharf project, they will look at similar projects such as improving the public footpath (FP23) beside Arclid Brook towards Sandbach town centre.