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  • IWA: Acclaimed journalist as chairman

    IWA: Acclaimed journalist as chairman

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    Amy Tillson reports… IWA is delighted to announce the appointment of Hugh Pearman as the new chairman of its Heritage Advisory Panel. As an experienced and celebrated journalist, editor and author, he brings a background gained in a distinguished career and a deep commitment to preserving the architectural and engineering heritage of Britain’s inland waterways.…

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  • NEW BOSS: For underground attraction

    NEW BOSS: For underground attraction

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    A MIDLANDS tourist attraction which takes visitors on a unique underground waterway tour has welcome a new boss. The Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust, which hosts tours in a network of historic tunnels and caverns under the town, is now under the leadership of new CEO Paul Crofts. Mr Crofts said: “I am absolutely thrilled…

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  • HAUNTED TUNNEL: Safety check carried out

    HAUNTED TUNNEL: Safety check carried out

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    ENGINEERS braved the spooks and spectres to inspect the Harecastle Tunnel in Staffordshire to ensure it is safe for thousands of waterway users to navigate. Officials from the Canal & River Trust inched along the Harecastle Tunnel, one of the longest canal tunnels on Britain’s historic canal network, to carry out a vital inspection of…

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  • NEW BRIDGE: Relinks canal trail after 30-year wait

    NEW BRIDGE: Relinks canal trail after 30-year wait

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    A NEW bridge has finally relinked the Trans Pennine Trail as part of £6 million works at the Chesterfield Canal in Derbyshire. The bridge replaced an old brick structure, which was knocked down 30 years ago, and is the first phase of the canal restoration programme. The new Trans Pennine Trail bridge, weighing 40 tonnes…

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  • RESTORING the Monty and closing the Shropshire Gap

    RESTORING the Monty and closing the Shropshire Gap

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    MORE than 40 people from 22 different groups saw recent work completed on the Montgomery Canal and were shown plans for future projects. They were attending the Northern Canals Association meeting at Llanymynech, on the Montgomery Canal, hosted by the Shropshire Union Canal Society (SUCS). The bulk of the day was taken up by visiting…

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  • AWARDS: Celebrate volunteer excellence on nation’s canals

    AWARDS: Celebrate volunteer excellence on nation’s canals

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    Lucy Wood reports… DEDICATED teams and individuals who give their time free to the Canal & River Trust have been honoured. Recognition has been given to those who work on the CRT’s 250-year-old navigable network in the charity’s annual volunteer awards, which reflect the diversity of achievements made to keep these waterways open and alive.…

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  • GET RID of plastics and shout about it!

    GET RID of plastics and shout about it!

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    YOUNG volunteers did their bit to keep the waterways plastic-free with a massive half-term clean-up. Families were out and about across the canal and river network, picking up rubbish to keep the towpaths pristine – and sharing their work on social media. And the organisers are hoping families, and especially youngsters, will keep up the…

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  • MILLIONS: To be spent on West Yorks. reservoir upgrades

    MILLIONS: To be spent on West Yorks. reservoir upgrades

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    THE 225-year-old Hill Top Reservoir (known locally as Slaithwaite Reservoir) in West Yorkshire is due for a multi-million-pound restoration in 2025 to ensure it can cope with the pressures of climate change and hold more water. The Canal & River Trust held a consultation into the works, which are yet to be finalised, to ensure…

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  • CRT: Faster response to repairs promised

    CRT: Faster response to repairs promised

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    THE Canal and River Trust has promised to speed up its response to waterway repairs in 2025. The trust has set new targets for emergency repairs and maintenance on the UK’s canal and river network. In addition, it plans to recruit a new volunteer trustee to its board who can be the voice of waterway…

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  • ESSENTIAL REPAIRS: Historic River Severn lock

    ESSENTIAL REPAIRS: Historic River Severn lock

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    Lucy Wood reports… THE Canal & River Trust is undertaking essential repairs to the Grade II-listed Holt Lock on the River Severn in Worcestershire. The top and bottom gates of the 180-year-old lock are being repaired as part of a £280,000 project to maintain and improve the structure for boaters navigating the river. Work includes…

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  • VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY for Boat Owners &/or Marine Professionals

    VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY for Boat Owners &/or Marine Professionals

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    Are you passionate about boating safety and great at bringing people together? The Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) is looking for a Convener to lead our Advisory Forum! As Convener, you’ll work with navigation authorities, industry pros, and boaters to uphold safety standards on UK waterways. You’ll: -Facilitate discussions-Drive consensus-Represent diverse voices in the boating community…

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  • A TOUGH YEAR: Reports holiday boat businesses

    A TOUGH YEAR: Reports holiday boat businesses

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    Tim Greenfield reports… HIRE boat operators are reporting a disappointing 2024 season with bookings down as customers look for ‘cheaper’ holidays. A combination of poor weather at the start of the year and the credit crunch affecting families all hit bookings and affected the core summer business. And a rise in business costs, including the…

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  • AQUEDUCT WORK: Boosts Canal Restoration

    AQUEDUCT WORK: Boosts Canal Restoration

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    REPAIR work on an aqueduct on the Montgomery Canal will aid wildlife and keep the canal restoration project pushing forward. Work has recently been completed on the Aberbechan Aqueduct, between the restored canal in Shropshire, which is connected to the national canal network, and the isolated Welshpool section north of Refail, near Berriew. Aberbechan Aqueduct…

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  • RIVER FOSS: Citizen Science Project

    RIVER FOSS: Citizen Science Project

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    Creatures living in the River Foss in York are helping volunteers to maintain water quality, as Sally Clifford finds out. THEIR presence is crucial to keeping on top of river pollution. To the naked eye the tiny creatures are simply pond life, but to the river detectives they provide important evidence. Retired freshwater biologist, Barbara…

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