News

FLOCK to Foxton Locks for family fun

by

Web Editor

–

August 15, 2025

Families are being encouraged to explore a 200-year-old marvel of engineering this summer as the Canal & River Trust launches a programme of summer activities at Foxton Locks, Leicestershire. The charity is holding a series of activities helping people to discover the wildlife and historic features at the site, the UK’s longest, steepest flight of…
Continue reading »
VITAL IMPROVEMENTS being made to Barnes Bridge

by

Web Editor

–

August 15, 2025

South Western Railway passengers on the Hounslow Loop are being made aware that buses will replace trains between Kew Bridge and Barnes between August 23 and 31 while Network Rail completes strengthening works on Barnes Bridge, over the River Thames. The middle girders supporting smaller beams on the bridge will be removed and replaced with new…
Continue reading »
BREAKING NEWS: More dry weather restrictions due

by

Web Editor

–

August 14, 2025

More dry weather restrictions due as boaters urged to start making plans now More navigation restrictions are set to be imposed as the prolonged dry weather around the country is declared a ‘nationally significant incident’ – as boaters are today urged to start making their own contingency plans. “Many of the reservoirs that supply our…
Continue reading »
WET WIPE ISLAND on the Thames

by

Web Editor

–

August 13, 2025

Inspired by the work of Thames21 and its volunteers, the Port of London Authority (PLA) and Thames Water have decided to clear ‘wet wipe island’ in Hammersmith. The PLA-led operation is removing an estimated 180 tonnes of congealed wet wipes that has formed the island along a 250-metre stretch of the tidal Thames near Hammersmith…
Continue reading »
IMPROVING ACCESS and inspiring active living along Leeds & Liverpool Canal

by

Web Editor

–

August 12, 2025

A newly upgraded two-mile stretch between Bridge 187 in Kildwick and Bridge 191A in Silsden, known as the ‘Missing Link,’ is the final section of unsurfaced historic towpath in Yorkshire to be improved by the Canal & River Trust. Built more than 200 years ago as the longest single canal for the passage of boats,…
Continue reading »
CLOSURE for museum

by

Web Editor

–

August 11, 2025

The Foundation of the River & Rowing Museum, in Henley-on-Thames, has said it will close its doors to the public for the last time on September 21, resulting in almost immediate job losses and the loss of a vital educational resource. The venue’s struggle to achieve financial sustainability is well-known. A statement from the foundation…
Continue reading »
BCN EXPLORER CRUISE: Turning Strangers into Friends While Championing Forgotten Canals

by

Web Editor

–

August 9, 2025

Towpath Talk follower Wendy Davis provided this report, this society is worth supporting! Between July 6th and 15th, a group of nine boats and total strangers came together for an incredible adventure—cruising some of the less-travelled canals around Birmingham to showcase their hidden beauty, rich history, and to help keep these underused waterways open for…
Continue reading »
RCR course date reminder

by

Web Editor

–

August 8, 2025

River Canal Rescue has spaces on its two-day maintenance courses, running 17/18 September; 1/2, 15/16 and 29/30 October, 12/13 and 26/27 November and 10/11 December., and its engine electrics course on 10/11 September. Held at RCR’s Stafford HQ near bridge 101 on the Staffs & Worcs Canal, the boat and engine maintenance course covers how to…
Continue reading »
SURVEY of energy usage

by

Web Editor

–

August 7, 2025

The NABO (National Association of Boat Owners) has been talking to the Department for Transport (DfT) and their consultant Ricardo. They have asked us to help with an energy use survey for inland waters. This survey has been developed by Ricardo, in collaboration with the DfT, to aid in improving emissions estimates from inland waterways and…
Continue reading »
BOATERS BENEFIT from docks dredging programme

by

Web Editor

–

August 6, 2025

THE Canal & River Trust has carried out dredging at Gloucester Docks as part of its vital work to manage Britain’s most inland port. The charity has spent £3 million in the last three years on dredging the docks to allow boats and tall vessels to freely navigate and moor in the heart of Gloucester,…
Continue reading »
MAJOR REPAIRS complete and bridge reopens

by

Web Editor

–

August 5, 2025

The Canal & River Trust, working in partnership with Sandwell Council, has reopened the 129-year-old Wrights Bridge after extensive repairs. Located on the Dudley No. 2 Canal, the bridge connects local people to the Old Hill railway station and has been closed for several years due to safety concerns about the bridge deck and its…
Continue reading »
£80K BILL after latest historic canal bridge vehicle strike

by

Web Editor

–

August 4, 2025

DRIVERS have been urged to take care after the bridge located on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal between Dimmingsdale Lock and Wightwick Lock was stuck by a vehicle for the fifth time in 14 years. Lucy Wood reports… The Canal & River Trust is carrying out urgent repair work, estimated to cost £80,000, to the…
Continue reading »
PLEA for volunteers

by

Web Editor

–

August 2, 2025

VOLUNTEER lock keepers are needed to help keep a stretch of the UK’s longest canal open this year. People are being urged to donate a day a week to operate the Gargrave stretch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, located on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Lock keepers are ‘the face of the waterways,’…
Continue reading »
CANAL TEMPORARILY CLOSED to boaters for swing bridge repairs

by

Web Editor

–

August 2, 2025

Engineers are working to repair a unique sliding swing bridge which takes trains over a canal in North Lincolnshire after a fault with its mechanism. Sensors on the structure in Keadby, near Scunthorpe, alerted Network Rail teams to a problem on August 1. Train services between Doncaster and Scunthorpe are unaffected, with the bridge left…
Continue reading »