Protect Middlewood Locks’ geese and goslings: move Lockfest later

Every spring, resident geese return to nest and raise their goslings at Middlewood Locks. For many people who live here, watching the goslings grow up on the canal is one of the most special parts of living in this neighbourhood.

Last year’s Middlewood Lockfest was a great event and it was lovely to see the community come together. However, what happened to the wildlife during and directly after the festival was extremely distressing to witness.

During the event, many of the geese moved away from the main lock due to the noise, crowds and activity around the canal. Boat movements through the lock caused the water level to drop repeatedly, and it did not return to normal as quickly as it should have.

This left some goslings trapped in the water without a way to climb out.

By late Sunday evening the situation had become so concerning that two fire engines attended after residents raised the alarm. A number of us were outside trying to find a way to help the goslings, but sadly several of them did not survive.

Many residents already take steps each year to help the geese and their goslings survive. People regularly keep an eye on the nests, help ensure there are safe routes in and out of the water, and try to minimise disturbance around the lock during nesting season so the goslings have the best possible chance of survival.

Seeing so many of those efforts undone over the course of one weekend was extremely upsetting for residents who care deeply about the wildlife that lives here.

This petition is not about stopping Lockfest. It’s about moving it to a better time of year.

Holding the event in late summer or early autumn would avoid nesting season entirely, protecting the wildlife that lives on the canal while still allowing the event to take place.

It would likely improve the event itself as well, allowing evening activities such as the light show to begin earlier once it is dark, and enabling vendors to stay open rather than closing hours before the finale, meaning lots of people went home before the finish. 

Middlewood Locks is a special place partly because of the wildlife we share it with. We simply want to ensure the event can continue without another situation like last year.