News

Canal & River Trust temporarily suspends 14-day movement to help conserve water during drought

by

Mark Lancaster

–

August 7, 2026

Canal & River Trust has temporarily suspended the requirement for boats without a home mooring to move at least every 14 days as part of efforts to conserve water during the current drought. The temporary measure, which comes into force with immediate effect, has been introduced to help reduce demand on the network and avoid…
Continue reading »
Edinburgh Canal Festival

by

Web Editor

–

August 6, 2026

Celebrating community, canalside life, and the Union Canal, the Edinburgh Canal Festival is back this year with three free events. BOROUGHMUIR High School Pipe Band opened the festival by performing aboard hotel boat Camillia as it sailed from Lochrin Basin to Harrison Park and back. Visitors also enjoyed creative workshops with Edinburgh Printmakers, activities organised by St Andrew Boat Club, canoe polo demonstrations from Forth Canoe Club, model boat displays, and the…
Continue reading »
Marking three years – join the call for fair funding

by

Web Editor

–

August 5, 2026

The Fund Britain’s Waterways campaign celebrated its third anniversary on June 27. LOOKING back, it’s encouraging to see how the campaign has grown in size and scope, and we have gained the support of national and local politicians as well as boaters and other waterway users. Our banners have been seen all over the country,…
Continue reading »
Railwayana with canal connections makes its mark at auction

by

Mark Lancaster

–

August 4, 2026

Railway safety instruments with strong canal connections were the star items of inland waterways memorabilia under the hammer in May and June, while a poster and a Shropshire Union Canal bridge notice also made their mark. The highest-priced canal-related safety instrument, featured in a major auction held by Great Central Railwayana on June 6, was…
Continue reading »
From 1802 to 2026: reservoir’s embankments get a modern fix

by

Web Editor

–

August 3, 2026

A £7 million project to strengthen the 200-year-old embankments at Wilstone Reservoir, Hertfordshire, is complete. THE 14-month programme of statutory safety works at the reservoir near Tring, required under the Reservoir Act, included driving 1400 steel piles into the structure’s 1350m-long embankments to strengthen them. Built in 1802 to supply water to the Grand Union…
Continue reading »
Waterway heroes make waves on West Midlands canals

by

Web Editor

–

August 1, 2026

Celebrating the dedication and passion of those who give their time freely to protect and enhance the region’s waterways, the Canal & River Trust has honoured its most outstanding volunteers in the West Midlands. From young nature enthusiasts to long-serving community champions and hardworking teams, the winners highlight the impact volunteers have in keeping canals…
Continue reading »
£60,000 boost for fish passage in River Teign catchment

by

Mark Lancaster

–

July 31, 2026

The Westcountry Rivers Trust is to receive £60,000 to fund river barrier removal in the Teign catchment. Through Environment Agency intervention, Valley Pet Crematorium in Paignton has agreed to pay the money as part of efforts to improve passage for salmon and other fish in the area. The company had failed to obtain the correct…
Continue reading »
Council and canal trust unite to restore historic waterway

by

Web Editor

–

July 30, 2026

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust (WBCT) and Swindon Borough Council have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) confirming their commitment to work together to progress restoration of the canal. The agreement sets out how both organisations will work together, with the trust aiming to deliver a blue/green canal corridor between Swindon and Royal Wootton…
Continue reading »
£5.2m revamp for safer summer on eastern waterways

by

Mark Lancaster

–

July 29, 2026

Boaters are set to benefit from a £5.2 million programme of improvements across Anglian Waterways – but campaigners say the figure just isn’t enough. WORK carried out at more than 14 sites – from Northamptonshire to Norfolk – are designed to boost safety, reliability and environmental quality, ensuring rivers remain open and accessible to thousands…
Continue reading »
Canals champion takes the helm as High Sheriff

by

Web Editor

–

July 28, 2026

From Cheshire’s historic waterways to one of the county’s most ancient civic roles, Lynn Pegler’s journey has come full circle. The former British Waterways communications manager is the new High Sheriff of Cheshire, pledging a year that celebrates the county’s canals, culture and communities. LYNN, who is a public relations and communications specialist for the…
Continue reading »
New accessible canal bollard could transform mooring for disabled boaters

by

Web Editor

–

July 27, 2026

An innovative canal mooring bollard which makes tying up easier for boaters, especially those with disabilities, has been installed at a pilot site on the Grand Union Canal near Milton Keynes. The project – a partnership between Canal & River Trust, MK Canals, Birmingham City University and the Accessible Waterways Association – will gather data…
Continue reading »
IWA marks 80th anniversary with river cruise and call for waterways investment

by

Web Editor

–

July 25, 2026

The Inland Waterways Association marked its 80th anniversary with a special cruise aboard the historic SS Daniel Adamson. THE event celebrated eight decades of the IWA’s work to protect, restore and promote inland waterways, while highlighting the potential of the River Weaver and challenges affecting its future. It combines industrial heritage, important wildlife habitats and reliable…
Continue reading »
Canal & River Trust launches engagement programme with boaters ahead of major consultation

by

Web Editor

–

July 24, 2026

Canal & River Trust is inviting boaters to help shape the future of boating on the waterways ahead of a major public consultation in December. The consultation, which will be co-created with boaters over the coming months, forms part of the Trust’s response to the independent Commission on Boat Licensing, which reported at the end…
Continue reading »
Steady as she goes for the twenty-second 2026 Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally

by

Web Editor

–

July 23, 2026

Tim Coghlan reports… Despite the weather warnings for extreme heat, this year’s Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally – held in its traditional slot over the last weekend in June – remained as popular as ever. Whilst visitor numbers were somewhat down, historic narrowboat attendance was the best for several years, with 90 of them, versus 79…
Continue reading »

News

Latest Issue

Free Digital Issue

Search

Tags