From Woodham to Odiham
1966:
- A campaign for public ownership and restoration of the Basingstoke Canal, led by the Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society was formed
1991:
- The Campaign was achieved as the canal was re-opened.
- Protracted lock closures since then, to conserve water, highlighted the need to improve water supplies.
2001:
- Back pumps were installed on the Woodham lock flight
2005:
- The pumps were grant aided by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the St Johns flight
2006:
- Our National Campaign Rally held on the canal in 2006 highlighted the need for further investment in the waterway to resolve maintenance and water supply issues.
The 1,230-yard Greywell Tunnel is blocked by a roof fall and protected as a habitat for bats, which has prevented plans to extend the restoration westward. It is unlikely that the last remaining five miles will ever be able to be restored due to development work, and lack of available funding (and interest) by the local authority, however, the society is considering if a proposal to create a new link to the Kennet and Avon Canal is feasible. The new link would be about 16-18 miles of new canal linking North Warnborough to a section between Aldermaston and Reading on the Kennet and Avon Canal to create a new cruising ring.