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CANAL RESTORATION will attract wildlife and support tourism

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October 8, 2024

Lucy Wood reports… A new wetland area being created as part of the Cotswold Canals Connected scheme is set to attract more wildlife and support tourism. THE Fromebridge Biodiversity Project focuses on the wetlands area and wildlife ponds between the Stroudwater Canal and River Frome, south of Whitminster. As well as providing new feeding grounds…
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‘IMPRESSIVE & REFRESHING’: Meeting with the Environment Agency

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October 7, 2024

Lucy Wood reports… Campaigners championing accessibility on the UK’s waterways said a meeting with the Environment Agency to discuss moorings and facilities was ‘impressive’ and ‘refreshing’. TRACEY and Tim Clarke, founders of the Accessible Waterways Association, were invited to the Denver Complex on the River Great Ouse Relief Channel, near Downham Market, Norfolk, to explore…
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WEEDS: Weevils fight back in £1m war

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October 4, 2024

A hungry natural enemy has been released into the waterways in a bid to munch a path for boaters and help wildlife. Tim Greenfield reports… THE Canal & River Trust believes 20,000 azolla-eating weevils introduced this year will help free up the most weed-clogged waterways in South Yorkshire and the East Midlands. The battle in…
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CYANIDE IN THE CANAL: Clean-up fund tops £22k

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October 3, 2024

By Tim Greenfield GENEROUS people have donated over £22,000 to help the clean-up of the Walsall Canal following a leak of deadly sodium cyanide into the waterway. The Canal and River Trust (CRT) launched the fund, which stood at £22,480 at time of printing, after the closure of the canal following the leak of 4000…
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AQUATIC WEEDS! UK conference to be held

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October 2, 2024

A conference dedicated to the control of invasive weeds will examine the impact of aquatic weeds on Britain’s waterways and how best to deal with their problems. The Property Care Association’s (PCA) 2024 International Invasive Weed Conference (IIWC2024) will feature, for the first time, a session dedicated to ‘aquatic invasives’, with expert speakers from a…
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ANDERTON BOAT LIFT: Work starts

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October 1, 2024

Lucy Wood finds out more… PREPARATORY work has begun on the programme to revitalise Anderton Boat Lift, one of the seven wonders of Britain’s canal network. The Canal and River Trust has appointed specialist engineering firm JN Bentley to conduct initial investigations on the world’s first commercial boat lift, with hopes of undertaking the refurbishment…
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MISSING OUT: That’s boaters on vital public services

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September 30, 2024

Tim Greenfield reports… HUNDREDS of boaters are missing out on access to vital services such as healthcare, education and banks. Waterway users say many central and local government agencies just aren’t able to deal with people who don’t have a permanent address – leaving many falling through the cracks and suffering in the process. Boaters…
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SAFETY: Fire awareness

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September 28, 2024

Ben Sutcliffe-Davies reports… MANY owners, during their lifetime on waterways, may be lucky enough to never see a fire on board. However, those who have had the misfortune to be on board either a narrowboat or a GRP motor boat will know that when a fire does break out, it can become life-threatening and extremely…
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ABC BOAT HIRE: New electric day boat

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September 27, 2024

ABC Boat Hire has launched another electrically powered day boat, this time at Alvechurch Marina on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near Bromsgrove. The 36ft Fun Day narrowboat accommodates up to 10 people. Haley Hadley, ABC Leisure Group’s marketing and sales director, says: “Britain’s beautiful network of inland waterways is important for biodiversity, and the…
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TOP SEVEN canal boat holiday destinations for October

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September 26, 2024

NARROWBOATS are like floating holiday cottages, with everything holidaymakers need on board for a self-catering adventure afloat. All are equipped with essential home comforts, including central heating, hot water, TV, showers, and flushing toilets, and most now have Wi-Fi, too. Drifters offers the choice of 550 narrowboats available to hire from 45 bases across England,…
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TOP 10 PARTS that cause boaters grief

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September 25, 2024

River Canal Rescue (RCR) responded to 3335 callouts last year to help with issues such as electrical, fuel and engine problems, flat batteries, overheating and gearbox failures. Despite RCR’s best endeavours, parts do break down. So what are the top 10 parts that cause boaters the most grief, and how much do they cost to…
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SNAP UP a waterways calendar for charity

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September 24, 2024

Thirteen images have been chosen to appear in River Canal Rescue’s 2025 calendar (front cover and one for every month), which goes on sale later this year to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. THE competition attracted more than 375 entries, which the judges – RCR managing director Stephanie Horton, Canal Boat editor Charlie Waters…
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CLOSER LINKS: IWA and LCA

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September 23, 2024

Cicely Oliver reports… THE Lowland Canals Association (LCA) is exploring corporate Inland Waterways Association membership after a decision to form an alliance with the IWA. This will benefit the LCA by giving it access to the IWA’s experience, campaigning and commercial expertise. The LCA’s Neil Kitchener will be joining IWA’s lead in Scotland, Jonathan Mosse,…
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LEEDS & LIVERPOOL CANAL: History in Felt!

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September 21, 2024

The history of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal is the focus of West Yorkshire felt artist Janine Jacques’ latest exhibition. Sally Clifford finds out more. BUILT 200 years ago, the Leeds & Liverpool Canal was one of the most important waterway trade routes through the region. Coal and textiles were among the important cargo carried…
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