The same was done on the Bridgewater canal some years back now mate.
Oddly enough, it was also done on the best stretch. Reed beds were also ripped out a month or so before the spawning season. It was supposed to give better vision for the boaters as it was on a bend. The reed bed was on a straight section though, next to a turning point.
It did seem a pointless excercise as other not so well used stretches were left alone. For one reason or another, the fishing on the canal went downhill from thereon.