A woman has called for action after witnessing multiple deer drowning in the Bridgewater Canal.

Kay Headford, from Astley, walks on the canal early every morning before work – waking up at 4.30am.

“Every day I’m going down, there are so many deer stranded in the canal, and they’re actually alive trying to get out,” Kay explained.

In an effort to rescue the young animals, Kay has even got in to the canal herself. However, she has been unable to successfully rescue any deer, and has seen one drown in front of her.

The 42-year-old said: “It was just so sad, the noise and everything. It was just heartbreaking. The day after it happened again, and then the day after that it happened again.

Kay says the sides are too steep for the deer to get outKay says the sides are too steep for the deer to get out (Image: Kay Headford)

“I didn’t get in them few times because the sides are really high and somebody had to pull me out the day I went in because I couldn’t get out. That made me start thinking then: what if it was a child, what if it was a dog?”

 

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Now, she has launched a petition for new ramps to be installed – and it has already received more than 30,000 signatures. Kay has dressed up as a deer to try to raise awareness to those using the canal.

Kay pointed to a scheme in Doncaster, where ramps were installed in 2020 after a surge of deer getting in trouble in the Stainforth and Keadby canal.

Different grades of stone were used on the edge of the canal to allow animals to climb out and on to the bank.

Unlike that canal, which is managed by the Canal and River Trust, the Bridgewater Canal is owned by private company Peel Group.

Peel Group did not respond to a request for comment.

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Kay said: “I’ve been on to Peel. They’ve not been very helpful at the moment but the receptionist told me that director of that particular canal is on holiday at the moment.

“My petition started on May 10 just to raise awareness, really, and see if I could start a bit of a stir. Wildlife matters.”

Kay added: “I want at least two ramps in the area that I walk along, it’s basically a load of rubble that can be put into the canal in certain areas where barges can pass safely. It acts as a ramp so they can scramble up and get out.

“I want it done as soon as possible, but I know that I need permission from Peel.

“I know with the amount of signatures it matters to people. If I could get permission from Peel, I’m happy to pay for it from local funding and stuff like that.”

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.