History of Waterways Restoration

The concept of voluntary work on the inland waterway was born in the 1960's and has steadily grown.  From the early days when a very few volunteers worked on projects such as the Peak Forest and Ashton Canals near Manchester, the River Avon in Worcestershire and the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal in Warwickshire, the postion has changed out of all recognition.

The final quarter of the twentieth century saw a number of canal restoration projects taking place. By the time the Millennium arrived most of these projects were underway, and some had been completed. Canals that were partly destroyed and their land used for agriculture or buildings were now being restored. Today in the twenty-first century, there are even plans for new canals, which will improve access to isolated parts of the canal system.

The money to finance these projects comes from a number of sources. The government agency British Waterways enables some of the work, government grant aid for the reclamation of derelict land is sometimes available, and so sometimes is European money, but this source is limited to specific areas. Local government also provides finance in many places and business sponsorship has been obtained for some projects. IWA and local canal societies are another source, not just for finance, but also for practical assistance.

Hundreds of miles of canals and river navigations have been saved from dereliction and are enjoyed by thousands of people. And hundreds more miles are gradually being brought back to life, thanks to over 50 voluntary groups spread all over the country, with a combined workforce of thousands.

From the Lancaster Canal in the North to the Chichester Canal in the South, the Bude Canal in Cornwall to the Ipswich and Stowmarket Navigation in Suffolk, voluntary working parties are run by local waterways societies, branches of the Inland Waterways Association and regional WRG Groups. Some work regularly on a project in their area, while some work as a mobile task force, travelling long distances to boost local efforts where their help is most needed....

IWA Restoration Committee Survey of Waterway Restoration Schemes

In summer 2009, The Inland Waterways Association's Restoration Committee distributed a survey questionnaire to voluntary bodies concerned with waterway restoration and construction schemes in the United Kingdom, the vast majority being IWA Corporate Members. A similar survey had been made in 2002.

Over 90% of restoration bodies responded.  The analysis of the factual information provided gives some useful information about the scale and growth of waterway restoration as well as indicators of which policies might be of benefit and of ‘what the others do’.

2009 Questionnaire (Download pdf)
2009 Survey Analysis (Download pdf)
2002 Survey Analysis (Download pdf)