News

NEW SLIPWAY brings disused waterway back into regular use

by

Web Editor

–

June 30, 2025

A SEVEN-MILE stretch of Louth Canal at Austen Fen, a few miles outside the Georgian market town from which the canal takes its name, is accessible once again to paddleboarders, kayakers and canoeists. Lucy Wood reports… It’s thanks to the state-of-the-art slipway, which is free to use from dawn to dusk, and has a dedicated…
Continue reading »
DEVASTATING TOXIC SPILL canal now reopens

by

Web Editor

–

June 28, 2025

Lucy Wood reports… The Canal & River Trust has celebrated the reopening of the Walsall Canal to boats after a serious pollution incident forced its closure last year. MONTHS of dedicated effort by teams from the Canal & River Trust, Environment Agency, Walsall and Sandwell Councils, UK Health and Safety Agency, emergency services, Severn Trent Water…
Continue reading »
WIN A BILGEAWAY FILTER KIT

by

Web Editor

–

June 27, 2025

TO celebrate River Canal Rescue’s 25th anniversary, managing director, Stephanie Horton, is giving away prizes every month, throughout the year. In July, three Towpath Talk readers can win a 10” Bilgeaway filter kit, worth £99.98 each. Described as ‘the world’s first truly environmentally-friendly bilge discharge filter’, Bilgeaway uses a non-toxic solution to extract hydrocarbon contaminants…
Continue reading »
CRUISING IN STYLE: ‘Coral’ joins the fleet

by

Web Editor

–

June 26, 2025

Although we mainly look at new, privately owned boats, it’s good to occasionally see what is happening within the hire fleets. With this in mind, Phil Pickin took a trip to the Trevor Basin to see a new boat entering the Anglo Welsh fleet. YOU would be hard pushed to find a more iconic location…
Continue reading »
COMPLETE! Fish superhighway

by

Web Editor

–

June 25, 2025

A PROJECT to help fish navigate a stretch of river in West Yorkshire has ended in success. Lucy Wood reports… The Wild Trout Trust said: “After partially removing a step that stopped brown trout from migrating upstream, Jon Grey, the trust’s research and conservation officer, has now added baffles to this culverted stretch of river. “These…
Continue reading »
1000 MILE CANAL WALK for charity

by

Web Editor

–

June 24, 2025

A 72-year-old fundraiser has completed a challenge to walk along all the major canals in England. Lucy Wood reports Kate Ainslie Williams has succeeded in her goal, finishing with the Thames and Severn Canal at Lechlade, but starting in Stratford-upon-Avon. Over the years she has walked more than 1000 miles along the canals, raising money…
Continue reading »
RIVER FUNDRAISER is all Wight!

by

Web Editor

–

June 23, 2025

A 14-hour run around the Isle of Wight has raised more than £2000 for The Rivers Trust. Lucy Wood reports… The Foresters Friendly Society’s head of insurance operations, Grant Streader, took on the epic 106km Isle of Wight Challenge in aid of the organisation. He ran 109.55km, tackled 1724m of elevation, and crossed the finish…
Continue reading »
DERBYSHIRE SALMON reveals powerful insights into river health

by

Web Editor

–

June 21, 2025

An Atlantic salmon from the River Dove in Derbyshire has revealed crucial details about the success of local conservation efforts. Lucy Wood reports… The female salmon, or ‘hen,’ was found on the riverbank in December 2024. She has since been studied by the Wild Trout Trust and the Environment Agency. Through careful analysis, experts have…
Continue reading »
PHOTO CONTEST closes June 30

by

Web Editor

–

June 20, 2025

There’s still time to take part in The Riverfly Partnership’s photography competition. Lucy Wood reports… The partnership is encouraging people to submit images on the theme of riverflies. “If you don’t have any photos yet that you’re particularly proud of, then you’ve got until the end of June to get out to the river and…
Continue reading »
TRADE SHOW promises to be electric!

by

Web Editor

–

June 19, 2025

Electrika 2025, the second ever gathering of narrowboat owners, industry experts and manufacturers, is shining the spotlight on sustainable boating. Lucy Wood reports… With more and more electric narrow boats on the canal network and increasing interest in sustainable boating, Electrika aims to encourage and support the wider adoption of electric propulsion on the UK…
Continue reading »
MISSING in action

by

Web Editor

–

June 18, 2025

Jonathan Mosse’s monthly look at freight development on the inland waterways… EQUATING the green shoots of spring with by far and away the greenest form of transport on the planet often appears to be something of a challenge to the minds of our politicians and general policy makers. This might partially be explained by an…
Continue reading »
ANCHORS AWEIGH for Campbell Wharf

by

Web Editor

–

June 17, 2025

Alice Elgie reports… STEPPING into Campbell Wharf Marina in the heart of the city of Milton Keynes, it’s easy to see why it recently received a Five Gold Anchor Accreditation from the Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA). The idyllic setting offers moorers not only all the modern conveniences they could wish for, but also a front…
Continue reading »
VOLUNTEERS revive Cotswold Canals

by

Web Editor

–

June 16, 2025

TUCKED between the River Thames and the River Severn lies one of the most ambitious and inspiring heritage projects in England – the full restoration of the Cotswold Canals. At the heart of this effort is the Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT), a passionate, volunteer-driven charity working tirelessly to breathe life back into 36 miles of…
Continue reading »
DREDGING the Barrow

by

Web Editor

–

June 14, 2025

KILDARE County Council has granted planning permission for Waterways Ireland (WI) to carry out a series of restoration and maintenance works including dredging on the River Barrow Navigation. Alison Alderton reports… The permission comes off the back of an extensive planning process which is believed to have taken more than a year to be accepted…
Continue reading »