News

Easter historic boat gathering heralds golden anniversary year at Ellesmere Port

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March 16, 2026

The Canal & River Trust will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port with its annual Easter Historic Boat Gathering, taking place from 3–6 April 2026. Around 40 decorated narrowboats and barges are expected to attend the popular event, which takes place at the museum’s historic dock site at the…
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Back to Braunston: Pete Waterman to open 2026 rally

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March 14, 2026

Legendary music mogul Pete Waterman will officially open this year’s Braunston Marina Rally & Canal Festival at the helm of narrowboat President. THE 1980s pop icon and prolific steam enthusiast will return to the marina on June 27 and 28 for the famous rally, back for its 22nd year. Sponsored by Towpath Talk, it is…
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Residents invited to drop-in sessions about Brewood Bridge repair plans

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March 13, 2026

Waterways charity, the Canal & River Trust, is inviting residents, businesses and boaters to attend two drop-in sessions to learn more about plans to repair Brewood Bridge and the proposed timeline for the works. These informal sessions will give local people the opportunity to speak directly with the project team, ask questions, and find out…
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Trust accused of ‘abandoning restoration’ as flagship projects stall

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March 12, 2026

The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) has challenged the Canal & River Trust’s draft Restoration Delivery Plan, arguing that restoration is being treated as a low priority. The organisation says several major projects have stalled and has raised concerns about new financial and administrative requirements for volunteer restoration groups. IWA challenges Restoration Delivery Plan THE IWA…
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Fenland waterways face permanent fragmentation as sluice becomes fifth indefinite closure

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March 11, 2026

The Inland Waterways Association has warned that East Anglia’s waterways are being lost ‘in perpetuity’ following the announcement that due to health and safety concerns, navigation though the Old Bedford Sluice V-doors has been closed indefinitely – the latest in a growing catalogue of closures across the Environment Agency’s Anglian waterways with no plans for…
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Study finds widespread metal pollution in Corby’s rivers

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March 10, 2026

A report produced by Earthwatch Europe, in partnership with the Corby community, has identified metals at concentrations above Predicted No Effect Concentrations at freshwater sites across the town. The study involved citizen scientists testing dozens of locations and analysing samples for metals and metalloids in Corby’s rivers. Community partnership investigation IN partnership with the Corby…
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Clyde Puffer to undergo major restoration programme

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March 9, 2026

THE Puffer Preservation Trust, which looks after Clyde Puffer S.L. VIC 32, has been awarded a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £245,537 to support the vessel’s restoration. While money generated from carrying passengers over the past 20 years has allowed the charity to fund necessary maintenance, the Covid pandemic and then a dip in…
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Floating encampment removed in £40k operation

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March 7, 2026

An unauthorised floating encampment connected with reports of antisocial behaviour and alleged illegal activity has been removed from the River Lee Navigation, near Bow Locks, in an operation costing waterways charity Canal & River Trust in the region of £40,000. TEAMS from the charity, supported by private security personnel, Metropolitan Police officers and a dog…
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All aboard the Lego dreamboat

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March 6, 2026

Hot on the heels of the possibility of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Lego, as reported last month, another imaginative fan is making a bid to preserve traditional canalia through the iconic toy brand. BRITAIN’S waterways are making a splash in the world of Lego, as enthusiasts rally behind two imaginative campaigns to preserve canal heritage.…
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Prolonged flood risk alert issued

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March 5, 2026

COMMUNITIES are being urged to stay alert as the Environment Agency and Met Office warn that unsettled and often severe weather is set to continue well into mid March. After an exceptionally wet start to 2026, large parts of the country are already experiencing saturated ground, rising river levels and renewed flood risks. Further bands…
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Mud, grit and hedge-laying spirit: volunteers push canal restoration forward

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March 4, 2026

It was a case of “mud, glorious mud” at the Shropshire Union Canal Society’s latest work party, said restoration project manager Tom Fulda. “This winter is characterised by persistent rainfall,” he explained. “The current area of site is generally well drained, but that counts for nowt when plant tracks over it.” But recent bad weather…
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Dundee Marks 125 Years Since the Launch of RRS Discovery

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March 3, 2026

Dundee is marking a significant maritime anniversary this spring as the city celebrates the 125th birthday of RRS Discovery, the Antarctic research ship launched from Dundee’s quayside in 1901. Dundee Heritage Trust has announced a full programme of activities for Saturday, March 21, inviting visitors to commemorate the vessel that carried Captain Scott and his…
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Greater enforcement powers are not the answer to antisocial behaviour, say boaters

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March 2, 2026

Reports of littering and antisocial behaviour on the Kennet and Avon have been ‘seized upon’ by the Canal & River Trust as evidence of the need for ‘draconian enforcement powers,’ claim boater representatives. THE Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, Wera Hobhouse, opened an adjournment debate highlighting escalating antisocial behaviour along the Kennet & Avon Canal…
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Elements of report are ‘unworkable’

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February 28, 2026

FOLLOWING the report’s publication, the NBTA responded with a message of dismay. Chair Pamela Smith said: “The report contains many recommendations that are simply unworkable. This is the result of the absence of direct representation of itinerant boat dwellers on the commission. I am outraged by the harshness – for example, imposing fines for minor…
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