AN invasive plant rapidly swamping the city's waterways has led to concerns that Worcester could have a crisis on its hands.

Floating pennywort has been rapidly growing across the UK waterways due to hotter summers and is causing issues for several canal users. 

The aquatic plant is known for growing extremely quickly and harms fish, insects and native plants.

The plant is forming a green layer across some waterways in the city.The plant is forming a green layer across some waterways in the city. (Image: Karen Lewing)  Councillor Karen Lewing expressed concerns over the Worcester to Birmingham Canal after she spotted the plant rapidly growing in the city.

Cllr Lewing said: “Since my first report in July, the pennywort has spread further into town and across the canal at great speed, forming lush floating mats on the water’s surface.

"The problem is that it could very quickly swamp the waterway, crowd out native plants, and take oxygen from fish and insects.

"I have asked the Canal and River Trust when they will take action, but it seems that it is a countrywide problem and is very expensive to remove.”

Patches can be seen on various parts of the canal.Patches can be seen on various parts of the canal. (Image: Karen Lewing) The Canal and River Trust has confirmed that some treatment was carried out in the Worcester section a few weeks ago, but financial constraints have limited the extent of their efforts.

Cllr Lewing said the trust has experienced dramatic cuts over the past few years, which may hinder its ability to eliminate all the Floating Pennywort.

She said without their help, the UK could have a biodiversity crisis.

A Canal and River Trust spokesperson said: “The changing climate, with hotter summers becoming more common, is making this natural phenomenon even more of a challenge.

"The weed isn’t directly harmful but can quickly clog up canals, causing problems for canal users and wildlife.

"Across our nationwide network of canals, our teams are working day-in and day-out removing it and doing what we can, often with specialist boats that scoop the weed from the surface of the water.

“It’s important our charity can carry out work like this to keep our historic manmade canals available for everyone to use and enjoy: last year, we invested over £1 million nationwide to fund the removal of more than 2,500 tonnes of invasive weed.

"We run regular volunteer parties where people can get involved in all sorts of tasks to care for their local waterway, including removing weed, and we’d welcome any help, including donations, to help keep our canals alive.”