Who owns canals in England?

The UK’s canals and navigable rivers are managed by navigation authorities. UK navigation authorities are responsible for looking after the waterways including maintaining locks and bridges, dredging and flood management.

How do I contact the Canal and River Trust?

Our main customer services team can be contacted between 8.00am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday on 0303 040 4040.

What do the Canal and River Trust do?

The Canal & River Trust is a charity set up in 2012 to care for England and Wales’ 200-year-old waterways, holding them in trust for the nation forever.

Who owns the Kennet and Avon Canal?

After the war the Transport Act of 1947 transferred control of the canal to the British Transport Commission, but by the 1950s large sections of the canal had been closed because of poor lock maintenance following a breach in the bank west of the Avoncliff Aqueduct.

Who owns the rivers in the UK?

UK waterways are not owned by any particular business or county in the UK, instead falling to ownership of a government funded body. The body created especially for this purpose was aptly named the Canal and River Trust.

Are canals safe?

Debris (trash and garbage) and other dangerous things can be found in canals. Dry canals are not safe because there is no way to know when water may be released and you may be trapped by a surge of water. Canals can have deep water. If you cannot swim or if you are hurt, falling into deep water could prove fatal.

Can a canal leak?

Leakage often starts on a small scale, but the moment that water has found a way through a canal embankment a hole will develop through which water will leak. If the leakage is not stopped in time, the tunnel becomes larger and the canal bank may be washed away at a certain moment.

What is the canals and Rivers Trust?

The Canals and Rivers Trust was formed in response to calls for waterways users to have an increased say in the way that British waterways were governed and run. Government funding for maintaining rivers and canals was cut in the midst of the global financial crisis and many waterways users were concerned about how the budget was being spent.

What is the Waterways Trust?

The Waterways Trust was originally established in 1999 as a registered charity that aimed to support the value and enjoyment of the British waterway network across Scotland, Wales and England. It served to act as a charitable arm for British Waterways.

What is cancanal&River Trust?

Canal & River Trust holds the guardianship of 2,000 miles of canals and rivers, together with reservoirs and a wide range of heritage buildings and structures, in England and Wales. Launched on 12 July 2012, the Trust took over the responsibilities of the state-owned British Waterways .

Who is the patron of the Canal&River Trust?

The Prince of Wales is the patron of the Canal & River Trust and the actor Brian Blessed supports the trust’s volunteer appeal. In June 2012 the trust announced three major corporate partners to support the Canal & River Trust: Google partnered with the Canal & River Trust to include the UK’s towpaths on Google Maps.