canal restoration

Marking 80 years and setting out course for 2027

by

Web Editor

–

November 3, 2026

ROUND THE COUNTRY WITH IWA’S AMY TILLSON Celebrating 80 years of championing Britain’s waterways, the Inland Waterways Association brought members, volunteers and supporters together in Worcester for its 67th AGM to reflect on recent achievements, set campaigning priorities for 2027 and recognise the people driving positive change across the network. THE Inland Waterways Association (IWA)…
Continue reading »
Reopen the Wendover Arm! Boaters Unite as Sir David Suchet Backs Canal Campaign

by

Web Editor

–

October 30, 2026

Boaters, kayakers and paddleboarders have joined forces in a campaign flotilla calling for the reopening of the Wendover Arm of the Grand Union Canal. The Inland Waterways Association and Dunstable & District Boat Club are pressing for action, with support from actor and IWA vice president Sir David Suchet. The Inland Waterways Association and Dunstable…
Continue reading »
New panel brings waterways groups together

by

Web Editor

–

October 23, 2026

A new restoration structure is now operational within the Inland Waterways Association so we can promote this activity wherever we can and have the most impact. IWA’S new Restoration Panel is our new forum for knowledge exchange on this, and we want the panel to be complementary and contributory to other networking and knowledge-sharing forums.…
Continue reading »
Hillmorton Locks get a blooming makeover thanks to volunteers

by

Web Editor

–

October 21, 2026

Volunteer lock-keepers have been sprucing up Hillmorton Locks on the Oxford Canal in Warwickshire, tackling overgrown vegetation, refreshing a flower bed and bringing mooring rings back into use. VOLUNTEER lock-keepers have tidied up along the Oxford Canal at Hillmorton Locks, Warwickshire. They removed encroaching vegetation and refurbished stone edging at several locks and refreshed a…
Continue reading »
Shropshire Union Canal Society Work party report 1st to 4th October 2026

by

Web Editor

–

October 12, 2026

Blessed by kind weather, more outstanding progress on multiple fronts. “With the high volunteer numbers that have now become something of a norm, it is not unusual to report progress on multiple fronts”. Said restoration project manager, Tom Fulda, “The October work party felt particularly varied with activity spanning a channel length of more than…
Continue reading »
Scythe of the times: canal volunteers get back to nature

by

Web Editor

–

October 2, 2026

Volunteers are turning back the clock at Aston Locks nature reserve on the Montgomery Canal, using traditional hand-held tools to manage the site in the spirit of the canal lengthsmen of a century ago. WORKING at Queens Head, near Oswestry, the group plans to rely only on non-motorised equipment such as scythes, loppers, billhooks and…
Continue reading »
Canal revival unlocks a new chapter at Pewsham

by

Web Editor

–

September 28, 2026

A major restoration project is under way at Pewsham, where a canal charity has begun the latest phase of work to bring the historic waterway back to life. THE Wilts & Berks Canal Trust has been rebuilding Pewsham Locks, which was a busy site in the 19th century with a lock-keepers cottage, wharf, and carpenter’s…
Continue reading »
Swans Forced ashore as invasive weed chokes The Monty

by

Web Editor

–

September 24, 2026

SWANS have reportedly been forced onto the towpath because an invasive plant has grown so thickly across the Montgomery Canal that they cannot get through. Now Glandŵr Cymru, the Canal & River Trust in Wales, is stepping up efforts to protect one of the nation’s most treasured waterways. Water soldier, an aquatic plant native to…
Continue reading »
New Thorne Lock mural celebrates local heritage and community memories

by

Web Editor

–

September 22, 2026

Visitors to Thorne Lock, on the Stainforth & Keadby Canal, can now enjoy a vibrant new mural celebrating the area thanks to the artistic talents of Canal & River Trust volunteers. IN just two months, a once overgrown and untidy area beside the lock keeper’s cabin has been transformed into an attractive space for visitors.…
Continue reading »
Work begins on Cotswold Canals’ Missing Mile

by

Web Editor

–

August 28, 2026

CONSTRUCTION has begun on the Cotswold Canals’ Missing Mile after six years of planning. The scheme will reconnect the restored Stroudwater Navigation with the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, edging the waterway closer to the national network. Volunteers are excavating 750 metres of canal east from John Robinson Lock towards the M5, with two locks, flood…
Continue reading »
Bumper August work party drives Shropshire Union Canal restoration forward

by

Web Editor

–

August 20, 2026

A five-day run of preparation work added to the Shropshire Union Canal Society’s regular three-day August work party, with volunteers tackling vegetation clearance, Schoolhouse Bridge wash wall footings and the removal of around 200 stumps at Waen Wen. Recently, there have been one or two ‘preparation’ days in addition to the regular three-day work party.…
Continue reading »
Sankey Canal group adopts Earlestown railway station

by

Mark Lancaster

–

August 11, 2026

The Sankey Canal Restoration Society has formally adopted Earlestown Train Station – and you are invited to get involved. The station, located near the historic Sankey Canal, England’s first modern canal, sits in the heart of a transport corridor that shaped regional trade and engineering. Under the adoption scheme, SCRS volunteers are carrying out regular…
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 »
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 restoration

Latest Issue

Free Digital Issue

Search

Tags