News

Canal & River Trust Launches Towpath Code Ahead of Summer

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Web Editor

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July 10, 2023

Ahead of the busy summer holidays, the Canal & River Trust, the charity that raises funds for and upkeeps 2,000 miles of waterways across England and Wales, is appealing for people to remain friendly and courteous on towpaths – as figures published today show the nation’s canals are benefiting more people than at any time in…
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Fire safety lessons from RCR

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Web Editor

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July 8, 2023

RIVER Canal Rescue is calling upon boaters to be aware of the fire risks on their vessels, after finding more and more cases of poor electrical wiring, including under-sized wiring, overloaded circuits, and sub-standard connections and cable routing, which can rapidly turn into a loom meltdown or a fire. Managing director Stephanie Horton says with…
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Inside the July 2023 issue

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Arianne Davey

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July 7, 2023

Regularly topping 100 pages, Towpath Talk features everything you need to know about boats, marinas, wildlife, conservation, heritage and superb days out.
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Simulating a boat fire during safety week exercise

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Web Editor

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July 7, 2023

West Yorkshire Firefighters have been doing their bit to promote boat fire safety awareness. Sally Clifford finds out more… THE dramatic scene is set. As the sun dips behind grey clouds that have consumed the sky for most of the day, the towpath is relatively busy with pedestrian traffic making the most of the lighter…
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Swing bridge closed after balustrade collapse

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Colin Wareing

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July 6, 2023

UPDATE: Contractors have successfully removed the damaged balustrade. Whilst further repair works are conducted the bridge will be left in the open position to allow navigation to resume. The Canal & River Trust is now working with its contractors carry out the repairs to reinstall the damaged parts over the next few weeks. REPAIR work…
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CRT endeavours to aerate canal

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Phil Pickin

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July 5, 2023

A number of dead fish can be seen floating on the canal’s surface close to the locks at Knowle. The sad sight provides graphic proof of the lack of oxygen in many canals due to the record-breaking temperatures recorded in June. CRT are trying to increase the level of oxygen in the water by setting…
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Monty’s Brewery step up to support the Monty Canal

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Phil Pickin

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July 4, 2023

Monty’s Brewery has launched Navigation Pale Ale to support the ongoing restoration of the Montgomery Canal, which recently celebrated the opening of another restored section to Crickheath Basin. At the same time, Schoolhouse Bridge, another 300 yds along the canal’s course, is currently being rebuilt – so it’s all going down on the cut. Russ…
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Glastonbury Festival fire kept alight by Bevere Fish Pass debris

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Web Editor

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July 3, 2023

Over 50 tonnes of wood debris from the Canal & River Trust’s Bevere Fish Pass on the River Severn made its way to this year’s world-famous Glastonbury Festival. The wood, which collects in the fish pass when the river floods, was used as firewood for the event’s stone circle, which stays alight across the five…
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Peak Forest and Macclesfield Canals

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Web Editor

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July 1, 2023

As a result of continuing dry weather, the Canal & River Trust has announced plans to temporarily close lock flights on the Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals to navigation from 10 July until water supplies recover. With the ongoing repair works at Toddbrook Reservoir meaning this key source of water for the canals isn’t available,…
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Brilliant Braunston

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Phil Pickin

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June 30, 2023

On one of the hottest weekends of the year so far, our senior contributor Phil PIckin brings us a taste of the annual historic rally showing the opening parade and VIP guests including Pete Waterman and David Suchet as well as Dory which went on to be judged best boat. Have a watch!
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Fund Britain’s Waterways calls on Government to stop inland waterways falling into disrepair

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Web Editor

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June 28, 2023

Britain’s unique and well-loved network of canals and navigable rivers is deteriorating because of inadequate funding. At a time of unprecedented challenges caused by the climate emergency and high inflation, the government is failing to respond. Fund Britain’s Waterways (FBW), a coalition of organisations representing hundreds of thousands of users and supporters of inland waterways,…
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Locking Ahead – the future of maintenance planning

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Mark Lancaster

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June 28, 2023

In the third article about how the Canal & River Trust maintains its 200-year-old system, national boating manager Matthew Symonds looks at some of the challenges that lay ahead. THE canal network is one of the nation’s greatest regeneration stories. From losing many hundreds of miles of waterways in the last century as canals stopped…
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CBOA Names new president

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Web Editor

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June 27, 2023

THE Commercial Boat Operators’ Association has elected Mike Garratt as its new president. He succeeds long-serving David Quarmby, who has agreed to become one of two vice-presidents. Mike is chairman of transport economists MDS Transmodal Ltd and has spent over 50 years in the sector. He has a long history of support for inland waterway…
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North West Canal Restorers Free Exhibition on Steamship “Danny”

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Web Editor

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June 26, 2023

The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) are delighted to be holding its second “Waterways Restoration Showcase” on board the steamship “Danny” at Sutton Weaver on the River Weaver on Saturday and Sunday, 29th and 30th July. The event, which has free entry, will have exhibition stands from 12 of the leading waterway restoration society from the…
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