IWA canal and river campaigns
Campaign for the waterways
Campaign with us
We know our waterways are special places – but they are at risk from underfunding and thoughtless development. We are campaigning to safeguard their unique environment for future generations.
Underfunding
Hundreds of miles of waterways – along with their unique heritage and habitats – are currently starved of funding and rely on constant lobbying by us to safeguard their future.
Restoration
Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.
Heritage
Our waterways heritage is what makes Britain’s canals and rivers special and it must be actively protected – through the local planning system and sufficient funding – for the future.
Key campaigns
Campaign News
Campaigns near you
All Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways
The All Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways, co-ordinated by The Inland Waterways Association, considers matters relating to navigable (and formerly navigable) rivers, canals, estuaries and lakes in the UK.
Waterways Directory
Our Waterways Directory covers all navigable waterways – from the derelict Dingwall Canal in the north east of Scotland to the navigable Truro River in Cornwall.
It includes information on navigable and formerly navigable canals, plus all rivers that were made navigable or used for inland navigation in their natural state. Waterways are listed alphabetically and data can be filtered by different subjects. The information given for each waterway includes: length (in miles and kilometres); how much is currently open to navigation; details of the navigation or harbour authority or other responsible body; whether a right of navigation exists; and any Maritime and Coastguard Agency classification for the waterway.
Sign up to receive your copy
Love your waterways
Together we can protect and restore our waterways; the UK’s 6,500 miles of canals and rivers need your help.