Eventually, I settled on the Rochdale Canal as the subject with the most potential in the area and decided that a stretch from Lock 54 at Slattocks to Lock 53 close to the M62 bridge over Castleton was the most suitable location. This section of the canal seemed to be the most 'rural' with only small numbers of developments around it. I scouted the location using Google Earth due to time constraints and researched the area using various websites and had a variety of desirable images in mind. I wanted to ensure that I captured features that were unique to the canal environment and identified lock gates, towpath moorings and even a lock keepers cottage as being essential for inclusion in my images.
Arriving early one Friday morning I was hoping for relatively good light and few visitors. The day presented some fine weather with deep blue, cloudless skies and bright sunshine. I was buoyed by the bright, sunny weather (although it threw up some issues with strong contrast in my images and lots of shadows) and I felt confident of bagging the shots that I required.I took the decision to walk the length of the mile stretch of the canal before even touching the shutter button in order to scout the area for the chances of acquiring the images that I had in mind...and it was on this reconnaissance that my mind started to doubt the suitability of the area. Canals are such beautiful and simple environments with their straight lines, flat relief and the abundance of flora and fauna that any walk along them should be enjoyable and visually stimulating. Don't get me wrong, this stretch of the Rochdale Canal was certainly a beauty spot within a predominantly industrialised area of north Manchester, but I couldn't help but be disappointed by what I observed.
Walking from Slattocks to Castleton, I was impressed by the lock structures and the details within their intricate mechanisms, with the beautiful lock keepers cottage over looking the canal. Hopeful that this kind of beauty would continue and offer an abundance of potential images I continued with a keen eye. I started to notice high levels of debris in the water and on closer inspection identified beer cans, crisp packets and even condoms in the lock. I wondered if this was simply an unfortunate find that was not representative the whole stretch. Continuing the reconnaissance though, I found cans of cider on the towpath, dog dirt, and various unidentifiable objects in the water. I couldn't help but observe that even the wildlife seemed to avoid the water with the majority of geese, ducks and herons, choosing to sit on agricultural land beyond the far side of the canal as opposed to the littered, film covered water. I was so disappointed to make these findings as they are such a contradiction in what should be a perfectly aesthetically pleasing scene and being a keen environmentalist I instinctively focused on the irresponsibility of people who must use this environment every day. 
I think the people who have access to this canal on a daily basis should consider themselves lucky to have such a wonderful landscape in their back garden but must rue the way that, what I am sure is a minority, have abused it. Images of dog walkers failing to collect and dispose of their pets waste, youths drinking cans of alcohol and smoking in the evening and fly tippers driving up access routes to dispose of waste illegally are the assumptions that ran through my mind. They certainly made my life more difficult in the task that I was there to complete but I felt compelled to capture the canal in a way that represents how the environment should look consistently along the length of the waterway.Hence, I focused on the task and exploited my kit and the features of the subject to get the best out of the area. I was pleased after the 3 hour shoot with the 4 images that I had secured and hope that they serve to promote the area in such a way that even the most irresponsible users of the canal recognise the beauty of the area and resist the irresponsible actions that have led to the tainted environment that I observed.
The people of Castleton have the right to enjoy the Canal as the environment represented in my images and I hope that they feel I have captured something which will serve to protect it in the future by increasing awareness of the beauty of the area.
If you have any views relating to the Rochdale Canal or indeed the actions of the few that taint environments for the rest of us then please leave a comment blow.
