Canal & River Trust 'sorry to learn' of damaged verges in Hungerford

THE Canal & River Trust has confirmed it has been approached by Hungerford Town Council over grass verge damage.

But a statement suggests a resolution may not be straightforward.

Last week this newspaper reported how the town council and the trust were on a collision course over severe damage reportedly caused by lorries dredging the canal at Horn Hill and Sanham Green, Hungerford.

The work was carried out over a six-week period, with two lorries per hour said to have been churning up the verges on a single track road.

Chairman of the town council's highways and transport committee, Richard Hudson, said it was not seeking repairs to all the damaged verges but only to those areas worst affected.

Nevertheless, he said contractors working on behalf of the Canal & River Trust had refused to comply.

Mr Hudson said last week: "The town council is now going to approach the Canal & River Trust."

The Newbury Weekly News approached the trust for a comment.

A spokesman for the trust, Richard Joyce, said: “We are sorry to learn about the recent issues in Hungerford" and said negotiations were ongoing.

However, despite the contractors' reported refusal to make good on the worst of the damage, he added: "Our contractor is in contact with the town council regarding their concerns."

The issue is expected to be raised at the next meeting of the town council's highways and transport committee.