Stop Deer from drowning - campaign underway to prevent animals falling in the Bridgewater Canal
ITV Granada Reports journalist Tasha Kacheri went to the Bridgewater Canal to see the issues
A petition to install ramps to help animals escape the Bridgewater canal has now attracted more than 30,000 signatures.
Kay Headford from Astley is campaigning for the ramps after witnessing many deer in distress in the water.
She says she is haunted by what she witnessed on her early morning walk down a towpath.
A deer was struggling in the canal, and despite her best efforts to save it, the animal drowned in front of her.
"It was an awful spectacle - the deer's distress, and the awful noises it was making as it tried to stay afloat," she said. "It was heartbreaking."
Sadly, the incident is a regular occurrence.
Kay said "I go walking my dogs at 4.30am every day before going to work. I am seeing deer stranded in the canal several times a week. They are alive and trying to get out.
"On one occasion I stripped down to my pants and bra and got in the water to try and rescue one deer, but could not reach it.
"Somebody had to pull me out the day I went in because I couldn’t get out."
The 42-year-old was galvanised to act after seeing stricken deer in the water on an almost a daily basis.
She launched a petition in May and has collected nearly 35,000 names calling for ramps to be installed to help deer get out of the canal.
"The area in which I have seen the deer in the water is a bit further down the canal from the Old Boathouse pub at Astley going towards Leigh," she said.
"It is near a dirt race track and there is no fencing just open fields.
"I stripped off to try and save the one who died in front of me. It was making such horrendous noises it traumatised me.
"I have seen the bodies of deer just slung on the side of the canal when they have been dragged out after drowning."
Kay is campaigning for a scheme similar to one in Doncaster where ramps were installed in 2020 after deer were getting into difficulty in the Stainforth and Keadby Canal.
Mounds of stone were used on the edge of the canal to allow animals to climb out and on to the bank. That initiative was back by former Labour leader and local MP, Ed Milliband.
Unlike that canal, which is managed by the Canal and River Trust, the Bridgewater Canal is owned by private company Peel Group.
Kay said: "I have had wonderful support from the local community. Wildlife matters and I think the public have shown how much they care with their response.
I want at least two ramps in the area that I walk along. It is basically rubble that can be put into the canal in certain areas where barges can pass safely.
"I have checked and there would still be ample room for barges to pass.
“I want it done as soon as possible, but I know that I need permission from Peel. I know there is a similar problem with deer in the Boothstown and Worsley area and really ramps need installing there.
"I have spoken to the man in charge of managing the Bridgewater Canal for Peel and he is sympathetic to the idea of installing ramps.
“I said I’m happy to pay for it from local funding but he indicated that Peel might be able to contribute to the cost.
"He also said he would speak to local field owners to make sure suitable fencing was put up."
Kay says she is meeting with Peel to discuss the issue on Friday.
Peel have been approached for comment.