First boat on restored Barge Canal in Droitwich

A canal boat has travelled along a stretch of waterway in Worcestershire for the first time in about 80 years.

The boat travelled along the 250-year-old Barge Canal in Droitwich, which has been restored as part of a £12m project.

British Waterways said it meant a vision to create a 21-mile (33.8 km) cruising . . . → Read More: First boat on restored Barge Canal in Droitwich

Fears over red crayfish ‘invader’ in London canal

2 September 2010

Red swamp crayfish, a native of the south-eastern United States, have been spotted in London’s Regent’s Canal.

Ecologists are concerned that the crustacean could cause harm to the native white-clawed crayfish.

A study has been started by King’s College London into the creature’s impact on other wildlife.

The . . . → Read More: Fears over red crayfish ‘invader’ in London canal

Norfolk RSPCA cleans oil-covered swans

BBC – 28 August 2010 Last updated at 11:38

Swan clean up Staff at the RSPCA wildlife hospital in Norfolk are involved in the clean-up

A wildlife centre in Norfolk has cleaned up 27 swans contaminated with oil after they were found on the River Nene in Cambridgeshire on Tuesday.

The . . . → Read More: Norfolk RSPCA cleans oil-covered swans

icCheshireOnline - New horse friendly bridge installed at Dutton Locks

07:38, Aug 27 2010

BRITISH Waterways is to improve access to the Weaver Valley for communities and visitors with a new horse friendly bridge across the river at Dutton Locks.

The public right of way on both sides of the bridge is well-used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders, forming part of the Sustrans . . . → Read More: New horse friendly bridge installed at Dutton Locks

Farmers call for action over Leeds-Liverpool Canal leaks

9:40am Saturday 28th August 2010

Craven farmers have slammed British Waterways for failing to repair leaks in the canal and endangering the livelihoods of businesses.

Tim Pilling, of Wilkinson’s Farm, East Marton, said he and a group of farming friends had voiced their anger to the waterways company, which closed a 64-mile stretch of . . . → Read More: Farmers call for action over Leeds-Liverpool Canal leaks

National Waterways Excellence Award for canal adoption scheme

26th Aug 2010

The team behind a project which has transformed a stretch of the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal has been awarded the National Waterways Excellence Award.

British Waterways volunteer coordinator, Steve Bicknell, and volunteer supervisor, Murray Woodward, picked up the accolade after ensuring the success of a pioneering canal adoption scheme which has . . . → Read More: National Waterways Excellence Award for canal adoption scheme

Exploring potential futures within civil society for The UK’s inland waterways

By Ben Metz, August 20, 2010 10:56 am

Today I start a new project. I’m part of a small team that’s recently obtained funding to explore how our waterways might realise maximum public benefit through its widely anticipated move from government quango to civil society body. It’s an exciting time for Arm’s Length Bodies . . . → Read More: Exploring potential futures within civil society for The UK’s inland waterways

Board members sought for pilot Kennet & Avon Canal Waterway Partnership

17 August 2010

The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust (KACT) and British Waterways (BW) are asking local people and organisations to nominate interested individuals to become volunteer board members on a new local Waterway Partnership Board that will help govern the 87-mile canal that runs from Reading to Bath.

The establishment of a Waterway . . . → Read More: Board members sought for pilot Kennet & Avon Canal Waterway Partnership

Dog walkers asked to take lead by cutting the crap

British Waterways is appealing to dog owners to stop littering the branches of Britain’s hedgerows with plastic bags filled with their pets’ poo. These smelly non biodegradable eyesores have become a common sight across the nation’s canals, parks and countryside.

With dog owners picking up their pet’s faeces but then not following the Countryside . . . → Read More: Dog walkers asked to take lead by cutting the crap

Lock sharing plan to save Kennet and Avon canal water

Users of the Kennet and Avon canal in Wiltshire are being encouraged to share a lock in an attempt to save water.

British Waterways is placing signs along the route from Caen Hill, Devizes, to Bath asking people to think about the measure.

Waterways manager Mark Stevens said using less water will not be . . . → Read More: Lock sharing plan to save Kennet and Avon canal water