A FINAL push is under way to fill a final section of canal between Royal Wootton Bassett and Wroughton with water once again.

The Wilts and Berks Canal Trust wants to raise £45,000 to dig out the last 5,000 cubic metres of clay — around 550 skip loads — from the canal bed. And it needs to do it quickly because the BIFFA landfill site next door, which has been disposing of the soil, closes its gates later this year.

Communications director Sheila Wade explained if the trust had to move and dispose of the clay itself it would cost between £250,000 and £500,000 more.

“It is so good of BIFFA to help us in this way but that’s why we have to make this final push and get it done,” she said.

The work to move the clay using excavators and dumper trucks, will mean the canal between Wootton Bassett and Studley Grange will be complete.

“It is about 20 per cent of all the clay that we needed to shift,” said Sheila.

“We did a huge amount last year. It will mean that we can join the whole scheme up and then get on with creating the towpath, which is fully funded.”

The eventual aim is to take the canal up as far as Abingdon, creating a linear country park along the way, where people can cycle, walk and canoe.

Volunteers also hope it will become a wildlife haven for creatures such as great crested newts, water voles and kingfishers.

The trust was formed in 1977 and aims to restore the line fully by 2025.

Since 2000 the trust has concentrated on completing important sections, including the flagship Studley Grange project.

“We have got people from industry who are giving us their time to help us to get this project to the finishing straight,” said Sheila.

“Getting it in water is the main thing.”

The schemes include a new junction at Cricklade with the Thames and Severn Canal and a new canal built as part of the Wichelstowe development, and joined with the existing section of canal at Kingshill.

Much of the work involves rebuilding derelict structures such as bridges and locks. But it is also faced with the huge challenge presented by the M4 and the need to find alternative routes where the old canal has been built over in Swindon and Cricklade.

Once it is complete the trust is hoping all of it will be publicly accessible.

Earlier this year the trust was handed £7,000 towards the cost of a landing stage on the canal near the Waitrose store at Wichelstowe which is now used for pleasure trips .

Anyone who wants to support the Studley Grange project can donate through the trust office at Dauntsey Lock Canal Centre or online at donate.wbct.org.uk before August 28.