Waterways

We’ve announced that Foxton Locks will be temporarily reopening to boats at the end of the month. The reopening will enable boaters to access vital services and give visitors the chance to once again enjoy watching boats navigate the famous staircase of locks. Maintaining water in the canal With the country experiencing one of the…

We’re inviting people in Leicester to experience a magical celebration of Diwali as the city’s River Soar comes alive with lights. The event We’re hosting a free family event at the Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre on the evening of Saturday 18 October, which will involve spectacular light installations, illuminated displays on the water, as well…

We invite everyone to join a vibrant celebration along Birmingham’s historic canals — honouring the contributions, cultures, and stories of Black communities that have helped shape the region’s waterways. The event will take place on Saturday 25 October at Brindley Place in central Birmingham, featuring live music, storytelling, community art, spoken word performances, guided heritage walks,…

Today we welcome Campbell Robb who joins our charity as chief executive, after six years leading the social justice charity Nacro. Campbell Robb Before joining Nacro, Campbell was chief executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, steering the organisation through a significant change programme. Prior to this he spent seven years…

Polyboatglobal.com is not only about widening the uses of pleasure-boating – but also about commercial e-boating, including electric professional fishing vessels. It started in 2008, when the diesel-electric Shinei Maru No. 66 became the world’s first hybrid fishing trawler, operating from Otoshibe, Japan. In Norway, the hybrid-electric Scania-Corvus Angelsen Senior and the Siemens pure-electric Karoline. Norwegian…

We’ve published our Annual Report for 2024/25, which sets out the scale of work undertaken to safeguard the nation’s historic canals and their modern-day contribution to society. Highlights from the report Over the year, and in the face of the rising cost of materials, additional environmental regulation and more extreme weather events, we delivered wide-ranging…

We are to begin the construction phase of a multi-million-pound scheme to upgrade the reservoir. Slaithwaite Reservoir The statutory maintenance and improvement works will strengthen the centuries-old structure against the impacts of climate change and improve the performance of the reservoir’s overflow spillway – which channels away water when the reservoir is full.  History of…

We’re set to deliver a wide-ranging programme of major maintenance and preservation works over the coming winter months to help keep our historic canal network navigable. Works will span 45 canals and rivers and include 137 separate projects at more than 100 locks, 14 bridges, two tunnels and a host of embankments, sluices, culverts and…

We’re starting an eight-week programme of dredging at Gloucester’s historic docks, which will improve conditions for navigation and benefit boaters, local businesses and tourism. Protecting the docks We’re set to remove silt that has entered the docks from the River Severn this summer as water was pumped from the river to ensure the daily water…