England’s and Wales’ canals are to receive an additional £6.5 million government funding to help build long-term resilience across the network.
The funding is in addition to the £52.6 million of annual government funding already provided to the Canal & River Trust.
The 200-year-old waterway network managed by the Trust covers approximately 2,000 miles, with the funding contributing towards maintenance costs.
This investment will extend the life of canal assets such as canal embankments, culverts and reservoirs and reduce future repair bills.
It will also enable essential works to be completed to keeping the waterways open and operational.
Although built in the industrial age, a resilient canal network is perfectly placed to help meet many of the challenges of modern society.
Campbell Robb
Key projects include works on the Peak Forest Canal, Tame Valley Canal, and the lift bridge connecting London Docklands to the River Thames.
In addition, the funding will be spent on several of the reservoirs built to feed fresh water into the canal system.
“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,” said Campbell Robb, chief executive of the Canal & River Trust.
“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.”
