England's and Wales' iconic canals will be better set up for the
future with an additional £6.5 million government funding to help
build long-term resilience across the network and ensure it
continues to operate safely.
The 200-year-old waterway network covers roughly 2,000 miles and
is used by millions of people annually for walks, bike rides and
to spend time near nature.
With the canals facing pressure from extreme weather and
maintenance costs the funding will go to the Canal and River
Trust (CRT) and comes in addition to the £52.6 million of annual
government funding already provided to the Trust.
This investment will extend the life of critical canal assets
such as canal embankments, culverts and reservoirs and reduce
future repair bills. It will also enable essential works to be
completed on schedule, supporting public safety and keeping
waterways open and operational for boats and millions of
visitors.
Water Minister said:
Our historic canals and waterways are not only world famous and
precious to communities across the country - they are also a
vital part of our national infrastructure, delivering
environmental, social and economic benefits.
This investment will help future-proof the Canal & River
Trust's network, ensuring it is better equipped to withstand the
challenges of climate change while continuing to operate safely
and reliably for the public.
Key projects include works on the Peak Forest Canal, Tame Valley
Canal, and the lift bridge connecting London Docklands to the
River Thames.
A number of the nation's oldest reservoirs built to feed fresh
water into the canal system will benefit, improving their
resilience and ensuring they continue to supply water. These
include reservoirs from the industrial age that supply the
Birmingham Canal Navigations, Grand Union Canal, Huddersfield
Narrow Canal, Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Peak Forest Canal and
Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal.
Campbell Robb, Chief Executive of the Canal & River
Trust, comments:
Increased extreme weather events and rising maintenance costs
have placed additional strain on the nation's historic canal
infrastructure and this funding from Government recognises the
important role they are able to play in helping to build
resilience.
Although built in the industrial age, a resilient canal network
is perfectly placed to help meet many of the challenges of modern
society. The investment in reservoirs speaks to the
potential of navigable canals to store and move water around the
country for domestic supply, serving the nation by moving water
from areas with excess to areas where there isn't enough.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- The money was allocated before the recent Llangollen Canal
breach, where an embankment collapsed trapping two narrowboats
and stranding seven others.
