IT HAS become of deep concern to me of the decline in wildlife along the beautiful stretch of canal between Mill Lane and Kingshill. I have read notices on fence posts along the route from individuals unknown blaming the decline of wildlife due to the Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal Trust sailing a barge along the canal. I must put a true light on this situation.

Over the past two years I have noticed groups of people illegally fishing on the canal, early in the morning, late in the evening and sometimes during the day. I was distressed on the afternoon of May 9 to see two young men throwing stones at a moorhen and her chicks. I couldn’t understand why at the time and I was alone and felt afraid to say anything. They also had fishing rods with them.

On May 11 as I walked the canal between Mill Lane stone bridge and the red brick bridge towards Kingshill, there were a group of four men next to the bench by the canal. As I passed, I noticed fishing rods and a large dead fish in the undergrowth behind them.

As I walked further on the four men were enticing a lone duck towards them. I sincerely believe the decline in wildlife in the area is due to poaching and absolutely nothing to do with the Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal Trust sailing a barge. Our busiest canal routes in Britain have an abundance of wildlife to see, despite many barges frequenting the canals.

I wonder if any of your readers have noticed anything suspicious on the Kingshill canal. It would be of great interest to hear from them.

ANNE POLLARD Goddard Avenue Swindon