Our work

Formation of IWA
In 1946 The Inland Waterways Association was formed to fight for the canals to be saved and revitalised so that the canals might benefit future generations.

Years of subsequent effort by IWA, with its relentless campaigning to change policies and attitudes, has prevented The Llangollen Canal, The Southern Oxford, The Leeds & Liverpool (and many others) from being abandoned and forgotten.

Massive fund raising and volunteer work parties helped to restore and re-open waterways like the Southern Stratford Canal and River Avon Navigations. The popularity, accessibility and condition of our waterways as we know them today, is testimony to all that The Inland Waterways Association has achieved so far. But opportunities and threats remain ever present; much still has to be done. The IWA depends on the ongoing support of everyone who cares about our waterways heritage.

Campaigning for Britain’s Waterways
The Inland Waterways Association is a national charity run by volunteers and campaigns for all of us through lobbying Government, local councils and the Navigation Authorities. It provides advice, organises and provides manpower for projects; fund raises and gives financial aid for the maintenance and restoration and use of waterways.

Today IWA is hard at work ensuring that existing waterways and their surroundings are conserved and maintained in the best possible condition and developed sensitively to suit future needs.

Environmentally Friendly Transport
We encourage the carriage of freight on suitable waterways as a means of keeping our waterways alive and vibrant places and as an environmentally better means of transport than road freight.

New Restoration Projects
Through our efforts, many more miles of, derelict waterways are now being brought back to life.Restoration provides employment and stimulates regeneration of urban areas as well as providing much needed recreational space  “Linear Green Parks” ... but politicians and planners have to be persuaded ... the huge cost of restoration and future maintenance has to be secured and ever present are the threats to old canal routes from the conflicting needs for highway and building development.

Grants from the Government, National Lottery and other sources, have been pledged to many waterways restoration projects - including the Kennet & Avon, Rochdale and Huddersfield Narrow Canals and the Anderton Boat Lift. Every single one of these was assisted by Inland Waterways Association with further financial aid and the efforts of volunteer workers through IWA’s branch membership and Waterway Recovery Group to provide resources and demonstrate what could be done.

IWA Today

IWA has about 18,000 members whose interests include boating, towing path walking, industrial archaeology, nature conservation and many other activities associated with the inland waterways.  Information provided by 188 corporate members with their own membership structures has revealed that they, in themselves, have a combined membership of at least 59,500 in support of IWA's voice.

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