Bude Canal is set to be closed for a number of weeks as part of dredging work to improve the town’s flood defences.

Cornwall Council has announced that the work, set to begin from January 23, will see access to the canal prohibited until during February as the in-canal part of the work is completed.

In addition, there will be restricted access on sections of the tow path and cycleway, with the dredging set to be complete by the summer.

Work to dredge the canal, will also see the partial closure of Harbour Car Park and Crescent Car Park while work is ongoing, in order to allow material dredged from the canal to be stored temporarily before being transported by lorry. Summerleaze and Crooklets Car Park will remain open.

The programme, which will be led by Cormac aims to ‘reinstate a safe navigable depth for watercraft along the canal as well as restoring the role of the canal in carrying flood waters as part of the flood defence strategy for Bude’.

Councillor Martyn Alvey, portfolio holder for environment and climate change for Cornwall Council, said: “This is a long-anticipated scheme that will bring huge benefits to Bude and those who enjoy the canal via boats and other watercraft.

“This programme will also help increase flood resilience and restore the role of the canal in carrying flood waters and in turn make the area more resilient to the impacts of climate change.“

Bude residents can find out more about the scheme at a public meeting held in the Conference Room at the Parkhouse Centre (Bude-Stratton Town Council) on Thursday, January 12, at 1.30pm.

Residents and businesses owners are invited to come along to find out more about the scheme and ask any questions they may have. There is no need to book.

To find out more about the dredging programme, visit the Let’s Talk Cornwall website.