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Whitchurch canal breach exposes growing cost of underfunding Britain’s waterways

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Mark Lancaster

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November 6, 2026

FUND BRITAIN’S WATERWAYS WITH FRANCES PHASEY The 2026 Whitchurch Canal Festival took place as planned despite the continuing closure of the canal following the breach last December. THE festival was well-attended, and Canal & River Trust staff were on hand to explain the work in progress to restore the canal, which is expected to reopen…
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460 Young Anglers Take Over 30 Miles of Canal for Britain’s Biggest Fishing Celebration

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Web Editor

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October 31, 2026

Around 460 young anglers lined more than 30 miles of the Shropshire Union Canal for the National Celebration of Young People & Fishing. Organised by the Canal & River Trust, the event celebrated fishing, friendship and the benefits of spending time outdoors. Hundreds of young anglers took part in National Celebration of Young People &…
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Reopen the Wendover Arm! Boaters Unite as Sir David Suchet Backs Canal Campaign

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Web Editor

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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…
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39 Million Pieces of Litter: Canal & River Trust Launches Waterways Clean-Up Campaign

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Web Editor

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October 26, 2026

An estimated 39 million pieces of litter accumulate along Britain’s canals and towpaths each year, according to new research. The Canal & River Trust’s Little Canal Litter Pick campaign is encouraging people to help clean up waterways and record their efforts on an interactive map. A NATIONWIDE campaign is urging the public to take action…
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Hillmorton Locks get a blooming makeover thanks to volunteers

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Web Editor

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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…
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Narrowboat recovered from Bath deep lock

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Web Editor

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October 13, 2026

A four-man team from River Canal Rescue (RCR) recovered nb Molly from Bath deep lock on the Kennet & Avon Canal after the vessel was sucked back onto the cill and sank. The incident happened at lock 8/9, on 10 September and the Canal & River Trust issued a navigation closure alert at 2.50pm, citing…
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Scythe of the times: canal volunteers get back to nature

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Web Editor

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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…
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Fresh leak causes closure near Llangollen Canal breach site

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Web Editor

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September 30, 2026

A STRETCH of the Llangollen Canal in Whitchurch, Shropshire, has been temporarily closed after a new leak was discovered close to the site of last winter’s major canal collapse The closure, which began on September 14, just before this issue went to press, comes nine months after millions of litres of water were sent cascading…
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‘Boaters deserve better – it’s time to act’

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Web Editor

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September 26, 2026

NABO general secretary Peter Braybrook comments on some more topical issues. I CONFESS: I am not a boater any more. I am still a boat owner, but this year our boat has only moved to turn it round to wash the other side. We planned to cruise the Kennet & Avon this summer as we…
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Volunteers sought to keep locks moving

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Web Editor

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September 21, 2026

With more people choosing to explore the UK’s waterways, extra support is being sought to help ensure the smooth operation and a welcoming experience for visitors and boaters. LOCK keeping has been central to Britain’s waterways for centuries, and today, volunteers with the Canal & River Trust play a vital role. They assist boaters through…
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Deep-dive rescue reopens historic Bevere Lock

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Web Editor

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September 5, 2026

BOATERS can once again navigate the River Severn between Stourport and Gloucester after vital repairs reopened Bevere Lock, near Worcester. An inspection discovered a faulty paddle on the 183-year-old lock that was preventing it from filling properly, impacting boaters travelling between Stourport and Gloucester. The fault, located below the waterline, required the assistance of specialist…
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Drought forces canal network into emergency mode

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Web Editor

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August 27, 2026

AS large swathes of England and all of Wales were declared in drought following weeks of exceptionally dry weather, the Canal & River Trust activated its highest level of operational response to keep boaters moving as much as possible. THE combination of very low rainfall and higher temperatures has seen reservoir levels, river levels and…
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Grounding advice from RCR

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Web Editor

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August 22, 2026

As numerous canals continue to suffer low water levels, breakdown and assistance firm, River Canal Rescue, is receiving daily calls from boaters with fouled props and damage to rudders and skegs, plus associated damage to drive systems, impacting engine mounts with ‘legs’ failures, and gearbox coupling/drive plates. RCR managing director, Stephanie Horton says many calls…
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Bumper August work party drives Shropshire Union Canal restoration forward

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Web Editor

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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.…
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