Canal & River Trust

One man and his dog – and a 250-mile towpath challenge

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June 8, 2026

FOR more than 30 years, Britain’s canals have been a place of refuge, connection and joy for Mark Willis. But when the Whitchurch breach devastated the Llangollen Canal, closing a vital waterway and then demanding an immense, costly rebuild, it exposed just how fragile some blue spaces have become – and how heavily they now…
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How engineers kept waterways alive through stormy winter

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May 11, 2026

THE Canal & River Trust has put the finishing touches to its substantial winter programme of repairs aimed at safeguarding the nation’s historic waterways. The multi-million-pound maintenance operation, carried out between November and March to avoid the peak boating season, this year centred on replacing more than 100 worn-out lock gates, each nearing the end…
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£1.3m canal repairs see hand-built lock gates installed on Grand Union Canal in Leicestershire

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April 2, 2026

Major Canal & River Trust works are under way in Leicestershire to replace ageing lock gates and protect historic waterways from climate pressures. Leicestershire’s waterways are undergoing major maintenance and preservation work to keep them navigable as part of a £1.3 million repairs and restoration programme. The Canal & River Trust is replacing lock gates…
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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 salutes volunteers in North West for their exceptional contributions

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February 21, 2026

The waterways – and canal volunteering – are for everyone. The Canal & River Trust celebrated this by honouring its volunteers in its annual awards scheme, supported by The Marsh Charitable Trust. In an ongoing series, we are featuring all the winners. THIS month we continue to shine the spotlight on the work of trust…
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£220k project to restore historic water-saving canal engineering at Hanwell

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February 20, 2026

Work underway on a Historic England-funded project to restore 200-year-old side ponds at the Hanwell Flight of Locks in West London. The initiative follows a year of navigation closures caused by drought and climate change and focuses on locks 94 and 95. The scheme is supported by Historic England, the Inland Waterways Association and the…
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Go behind the scenes of lock restoration at Chesterfield Canal open day

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February 16, 2026

The Canal & River Trust is giving members of the public the opportunity to get an up-close view of newly installed lock gates at Stret Lock in Worksop to highlight what it takes to look after the nation’s centuries-old canal network. The trust has replaced two sets of lock gates on the narrow beam lock…
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Community mural brings a splash of colour to Doncaster Lock

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February 14, 2026

Volunteers have completed a vibrant mural at Doncaster Lock to celebrate the city’s heritage and encourage more boaters to experience this part of the waterway network. Creation of the mural CREATED by local artist Kate Rhodes, with assistance from volunteer lock keeper and ex-boater Jan Miller, the mural – measuring more than 10 metres long…
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From industrial lifeline to revival

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February 13, 2026

Early industrial achievement THE Stroudwater Canal, completed in 1779, stands as one of Gloucestershire’s earliest and most significant industrial achievements. Designed to connect the River Severn at Framilode with the market town of Stroud, it was conceived and financed by local merchants and mill owners seeking a reliable route for transporting coal, stone, and timber…
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Toddbrook Reservoir restoration reaches major milestone as new spillway completed

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February 9, 2026

A major phase of the Toddbrook Reservoir restoration project near Whaley Bridge has been completed with the construction of a new dam overflow spillway. Work is continuing to reconnect the structure to the River Goyt, refill the reservoir, and return surrounding land to community use. New dam spillway structure completed A major phase of a…
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North Stratford Canal dredging project removes silt along 10-mile stretch

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February 6, 2026

More than 10 miles of the North Stratford Canal are being dredged as part of a major £800,000 maintenance programme led by the Canal & River Trust. The winter works aim to restore canal depth and improve navigation ahead of the spring cruising season. Silt is being removed from more than 10 miles of the…
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People in Northamptonshire invited to celebrate canal wildlife at free nature event in Stoke Bruerne

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February 3, 2026

The Canal & River Trust is inviting people in Northamptonshire to discover the wonderful wildlife that thrives along their local canals at a special ‘Nurturing Nature’ event, taking place at the Canal Museum in Stoke Bruerne on Saturday 7 February, from 11am–3pm. The charity is bringing together wildlife experts, hands‑on demonstrations and activities designed to…
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After the breach: community rallies as canal faces year of repairs

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January 28, 2026

INTRO: The devastating breach on the Llangollen Canal left boats destroyed, dozens stranded, and families displaced, but the generous response from the boating world and beyond has been heartwarming – as it is expected to take most of 2026 to reinstate the waterway. MORE than £100,000 has been raised to support the three boaters whose…
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Fresh face at trust

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January 20, 2026

Former Canal & River Trust chief executive Richard Parry has been appointed a patron of the Avon Navigation Trust (ANT), strengthening the charity’s leadership as it continues its work caring for the River Avon. Based in Solihull, Richard Parry said he was delighted to accept the role and to join a respected group of patrons…
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