Enterprise
The Enterprise team at the Canal & River Trust works with partners including canal communities, local authorities and national and regional bodies, to secure funding for the canals and rivers of England and Wales where there is mutual benefit in developing them for local people, visitors and wildlife.
The team here works with a range of groups and organisations who are motivated to improve the canals and rivers of England and Wales. We help secure funding for sustainable access projects, heritage and wildlife enhancements and public realm and water quality improvements. Whether you want to improve the nation's health by encouraging walking and cycling on local towpaths, or want to bring our fascinating canal heritage to life or see even more wildlife on our rivers and canals - we can help by working together.
Contact us to discuss a project near you.
Place Making & Shaping
The regeneration power of our waterway corridors has been celebrated across England and Wales in major cities such as Birmingham, Nottingham and London as well as in our rural communities. Canals and rivers have been transformed to create world-class destinations which attract thousands of visitors each year to events and attractions.
Climate Change
Canals and rivers have a part to play in supporting low carbon economies through hydropower, city cooling, watersupply or drainage. This is a key focus for many Local Authority partners. Working together with innovative and new technology we can make use of the nation's heritage to support a 21st Century community's needs.
Natural Environment
A valuable resource to all the community, whether a haven for wildlife or a European protected species your local canal can add to the quality of life in your local area. We work with partners to develop a sustainable environment for wildlife. Whether a rural location or inner city, the natural environment of the canal or river has the potential to enrich peoples lives.
Cultural Heritage
The canals and rivers belong to the nation, they have a wealth of cultural heritage. From sites such as the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to local traditional bridges, the canals draw visitors, an important element of many local economies. We work with partners locally to develop the benefits of the canal and river heritage so that it adds greater value to the local economy.
Health Well Being & Sport
Canal and rivers act as blue gyms for local communities. Over 50 per cent of the population of England and Wales live within five miles of a canal or river making them accessible and a great space for everyone to enjoy and get fit. Projects centered on the canal also have the uplifting effect of bringing communities together, improving long held and sometimes negative perceptions of the canal, helping to improve the health of people and diversity of wildlife.
Sustainable Transport
Good quality canal and river towpaths encourage people to get out of their cars to commute to work and enjoy the countryside. The original purpose of moving goods or passengers by water is being rediscovered where it's viable to do so. Moving goods by boat reduces congestion on busy roads, improves safety and helps create a greener, cleaner environment. You can help to get more lorries of the road by helping us to invest in the locks and the waterways which have the greatest potential to support water transport.
Tourism and Waterside Business Development
Improving our canals and rivers encourages people to visit and creates places where people choose to live and work. By regenerating our rural and urban canals, jobs for local people in cafes, restaurants, trip boats and tourism and leisure businesses are created which can stimulate the economies of riverside towns and villages.
Fairer Stronger and More Active Communities
Canals and rivers have the potential to act as a focus for community development projects, we work with partners to engage local residents in activities related to their local canal and river. By bringing people together through participation, sport or just social activity, the canal environment can be a focus for social regeneration.
The greatest benefit
In short, the canals and rivers of England and Wales are one of the best places to invest to secure the greatest benefit for people and wildlife. By working together we can improve the canals and rivers for current and future generations to enjoy. The health and well being of the nation will be improved and the environment will flourish.
There are so many opportunities for our stakeholders to get involved; from small scale graffiti cleaning projects to significant towpath and heritage building improvements. If you are able to invest in canals and rivers or think you can help us secure the investment we need please get in touch.
