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BANNED: Plastic wet wipes

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December 29, 2025

Rivers, lakes and beaches across England are set to become cleaner, with wildlife better protected, after the Government signed into law a ban on the sale of plastic wet wipes. The move marks a significant step forward in tackling plastic pollution, which can cause long-lasting damage to waterways and ecosystems. The new legislation specifically targets…
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WIGAN CANAL REOPENS after water main burst

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December 28, 2025

Boats have returned to cruising the seven-mile Leigh Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Wigan following its closure in August caused by a burst water main. Engineers from the Canal & River Trust worked closely with United Utilities, which owns the damaged main, to complete a bespoke repair to the canal bank between…
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FAIRER BOAT LICENSING SYSTEM called for

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December 27, 2025

An independent commission’s report on boat licensing for the Canal & River Trust concluded that the current system is outdated, inconsistent, and in need of reform – and has recommended clearer definitions, stronger enforcement powers, and a simpler, fairer framework that reflects modern use of the waterways. BOAT licensing needs reform to reflect the current…
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NATIONAL HONOUR for waterways photographer

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December 24, 2025

National Historic Ships UK, a government-funded but independent organisation, has announced the winners of its annual photography competition celebrating maritime heritage across the UK. The organisation provides objective advice to UK governments and local authorities, funding bodies, and the historic ships sector on all matters relating to historic vessels. Kev, from Tipton in the West…
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BREACH at Whitchurch on the Llangollen Canal: what we know so far

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December 23, 2025

A major embankment failure on the Llangollen Canal at Whitchurch has led to the closure of a key section of the waterway while emergency services and engineers assess the damage and plan repairs. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday 22 December 2025, close to New Mills Lift Bridge, and resulted in a…
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CROCODILE ON THE CUT not all it seemed

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December 22, 2025

A POLICE appeal to find a crocodile dumped in a canal caused a storm on social media – and the mystery was soon solved. The Derbyshire Rural Crime Team first posted on Facebook: “We know this is probably the strangest appeal ever to grace our Facebook page; however, we are appealing for your help in…
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CANAL UNDERINVESTMENT highlighted by canal closure

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December 20, 2025

AFTER a navigation closure notice restricted access to the Macclesfield and Peak Forest canals in August, local MP Lisa Smart is now in talks with the Canal & River Trust to explore how similar closures can be avoided in future. The MP for Hazel Grove has already raised concerns in a dedicated Westminster debate, highlighting…
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CHARACTERS OF THE CUT: Charlotte Hopwood, Seawood Signwriting

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December 19, 2025

A LIFELONG love of arts and crafts, along with a chance meeting at a festival 12 years ago, is what set Charlotte Hopwood on her signwriting journey. Alice Elgie reports… Charlotte shares with me: “I was at Moira Canal Festival helping in the crafty kids tent, but also at the festival was Martyn King, of…
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CLIMATE CHANGE RISKS to UK Waterways Raised in Parliament

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December 18, 2025

Members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Waterways have heard urgent expert evidence on the growing impacts of climate change on the UK’s inland waterways, including canals, rivers and low-lying navigation systems. Meeting under the secretariat of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA), the APPG received evidence from the Canal & River Trust (CRT)…
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NAVIGATION CHARGES on the Broads welcomed by IWA

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December 17, 2025

The Broads Authority has invited public comment on proposals for a below-inflation increase in boat tolls for 2026/27, alongside planned investment in navigation improvements across the Broads. Under the proposal, boat tolls would rise by 2.5%, despite a continuing decline in boat numbers. The authority says this has been made possible following recognition by Defra…
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GREEN & SERENE: Waterways make a splash in national awards

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December 16, 2025

More than 2,000 parks, gardens and green spaces across the UK and beyond have been announced as 2025 Green Flag Award winners, marking a record-breaking year for the internationally recognised quality standard. A total of 2,250 locations achieved Green Flag status in 2025 — the highest number ever recorded by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy,…
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SLURRY OVERFLOW From dairy leads to major river pollution and court fine

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December 15, 2025

A firm has been prosecuted for allowing cattle slurry to overflow from a lagoon, polluting a nearby river for four kilometres. Manor Farm Dairy Ltd, of Manor Farm, Hilfield, Dorchester, appeared before Taunton Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to an offence of causing a discharge of poisonous, noxious or polluting matter into a local river.…
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RESTORATION PLANNED for historic canal boat

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December 13, 2025

The Jericho Living Heritage Trust has secured £210,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore Kilsby, a historically significant 1912 canal boat, and relaunch it as an accessible floating community hub on the Oxford canal network. Kilsby is one of just 24 surviving craft commissioned by Fellows, Morton & Clayton, the famous canal-carrying company…
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FARMER FINED for slurry pollution

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December 12, 2025

A FARMER has been ordered to pay £7048 for illegally discharging slurry into a river due to a leaking pipe. Timothy Juckes, 48, of Tredington, near Tewkesbury, pleaded guilty to illegally discharging slurry into the River Swilgate, on November 14 and 15, 2022. He was fined £1086 and ordered to pay costs of £5528.50 and…
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