The Canal du Midi is the subject of works throughout the year. However, some work can only be carried out when the diversion bays – sections of the canal between two locks – are partially or totally emptied. Among the work planned between early November 2021 and February 2022, the restoration of the banks of the Canal du Midi, badly damaged in places.

Voies navigables de France (VNF) has set itself the goal of to restore 9 km of banks, to reach some 50 km of reconstructed banks, as part of the restoration project of the tree-lined vault of the Canal du Midi. 9 sites are concerned between Toulouse and Marseillan. In Toulouse, this concerns in particular the reach between the lock of Béarnais and that of Minimes, partially emptied.

The death of the plane trees causes the disappearance of the roots that maintain the banks

” La death of the plane trees caused by the disease of the colored canker, causes the progressive disappearance of the root network which frequents the banks, explains a spokesperson for VNF. Their restoration is therefore necessary in order to stabilize the banks and the infrastructure of the canal. It is also a prerequisite for the replanting of new trees, replacing decimated plane trees, or the construction of new infrastructures such as cycle routes ”.

The main technique used is wood tuning, which consists of driving oak or chaignier piles, on which the boards are defined vertically. VNF Sud-Ouest also promotes, when possible, techniques derived from “plant engineering”, in particular the reprofiling of the slope associated with plantations of helophytes (plants that grow with their feet in the water: irises, rushes, tigernuts, etc. ).

Work on Boulevard de la Méditerranée in Toulouse is also planned for 2022.