Canal & River Trust

NEARLY 4000 TONNES of Invasive Weed Cleared From UK Canals

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January 16, 2026

Nearly 4,000 tonnes of invasive aquatic weed were removed from Britain’s canals and waterways during 2025 by a single contractor, highlighting the growing impact of climate change on one of the UK’s oldest and most important infrastructure networks and underlining the need for urgent action. The scale of the problem has been highlighted by marine…
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Britain’s Canals: The Overlooked Lifeline Connecting Wildlife, Wellbeing and Communities

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January 14, 2026

A major new report has highlighted how the UK’s historic canal network — the nation’s longest and most connected corridor of freshwater habitat — is one of Britain’s most important yet under-recognised assets for nature recovery, public wellbeing and community connection. The Vital Connector for Nature and People report, published by the Canal & River…
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VOLUNTEERING EXCELLENCE on nation’s canals

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December 31, 2025

Volunteering has been one of the standout success stories of the Canal & River Trust since it was formed in 2012. Today, around 5,500 volunteers regularly give their time to support the charity’s work, contributing nearly three-quarters of a million volunteer hours in the past financial year alone. Reflecting both this growth and the increasing…
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BREACH at Whitchurch on the Llangollen Canal: what we know so far

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December 23, 2025

A major embankment failure on the Llangollen Canal at Whitchurch has led to the closure of a key section of the waterway while emergency services and engineers assess the damage and plan repairs. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday 22 December 2025, close to New Mills Lift Bridge, and resulted in a…
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CANAL UNDERINVESTMENT highlighted by canal closure

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December 20, 2025

AFTER a navigation closure notice restricted access to the Macclesfield and Peak Forest canals in August, local MP Lisa Smart is now in talks with the Canal & River Trust to explore how similar closures can be avoided in future. The MP for Hazel Grove has already raised concerns in a dedicated Westminster debate, highlighting…
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CLIMATE CHANGE RISKS to UK Waterways Raised in Parliament

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December 18, 2025

Members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Waterways have heard urgent expert evidence on the growing impacts of climate change on the UK’s inland waterways, including canals, rivers and low-lying navigation systems. Meeting under the secretariat of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA), the APPG received evidence from the Canal & River Trust (CRT)…
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MAJOR FUNDING SECURED to safeguard the future of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal

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December 5, 2025

The future of one of Wales’ most cherished waterways has just received a significant boost. The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal – a vital lifeline for local wildlife, businesses, and tourism – will continue to flow thanks to a long-term funding commitment announced by the Welsh Government. Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies confirmed that the Welsh…
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WIGAN CANAL reopens to boats after water main burst

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December 2, 2025

BOATS have returned to cruising the seven-mile length of the Leigh Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Wigan following its closure due to a burst water main back in August. Engineers at the Canal & River Trust worked with United Utilities, which owns the water main, to carry out a bespoke repair to the canal bank between Poolstock Lock and Bamfurlong…
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HISTORIC NORTHAMPTONSHIRE working boat celebrates 90th birthday

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November 25, 2025

A historic Northamptonshire working boat which played a key role in fighting fires in London during World War II is set to celebrate her 90th birthday. Sculptor, which is owned by the Canal & River Trust and normally moored outside the Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne, began her working life in November 1935 when she joined…
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FOXTON LOCK festive feeling as Christmas illuminations are switching on

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November 24, 2025

Foxton Locks is set to sparkle as the Canal & River Trust invites visitors to one of Leicestershire’s most spectacular Christmas events, taking place on Friday 28 November. The charity, working with Foxton Locks Inn, Foxton Canal Museum and other businesses on site, is organising the event, which will see the historic site decked out…
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COMMISSION REVIEWING BOAT LICENSING FRAMEWORK DELIVERS REPORT

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November 20, 2025

The Report from the independent Commission set up to review the legal framework around boat licensing and whether it is appropriate for the canal network’s future has been published (19 November). Over the past ten months the Commission, chaired by Andrew Cowan, a former senior partner at law firm Devonshires, has undertaken an extensive review, engaging…
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BOAT LICENCE FEES for 2026-27

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November 13, 2025

The Canal & River Trust is today announcing an increase in boat licence fees for both private boat owners and boating businesses of 4.85% from 1 April 2026. The rise is based on Bank of England forecasts that inflation will remain at around 3.8% through until April 2026. Surcharges for boats without a home mooring…
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WINTER MAINTENANCE to span 45 canals

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November 11, 2025

A total of 137 projects to restore and repair the canal network will take place during the colder months. JUST after the last issue of Towpath Talk went to press, the Canal & River Trust announced details of its winter maintenance and preservation programme. Works will span 45 canals and rivers and include 137 separate…
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BE A BRICK and buy one!

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November 5, 2025

Volunteers are looking to late autumn and the start of the next phase in connecting the Staffordshire & Worcester Canal at Baswich to the town of Stafford. THE chairman of the Stafford Riverway Link, Paul Bryan, said: “The dedicated group of volunteers have continued to make progress on their aim. The holding basin, with room…
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