A man on his bike smiles as he cycles past two children sitting by the canal. A boat leaves the lock in the background.

Place & prosperity

Just as our canal network helped to spur innovation and growth over 200 years ago, it can be part of the solution today.

Sustainable living, boating, and development

We're connecting communities, servicing businesses and contributing to the wider economy.

737

miles

of our canals now hold the Green Flag Award

5755

children and young people

took part in Community Roots programmes and activities

450000

holidaymakers

cruise our canals every year, supporting local businesses

Too few homes, slow economic growth and insecure energy supplies are serious challenges facing our nation. And it’s impacting communities, who feel cast aside and forgotten.

Our canals are living, working heritage like no other, connecting us to our past and inspiring our future. They drive regeneration and enhance the quality of our lives, making our towns and cities better places. Our network can fuel economic growth by supporting tourism, our utilities and the marine economy, as well as support resilience of water supply, flood mitigation and renewable energy generation.

Read the report

Find out more about our impact on place & prosperity

Protecting one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Waterways’

Opened in 1805, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the 11 miles of the Llangollen Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, described as ‘a masterpiece of creative genius’.

This iconic engineering structure is central to the visitor economy in North Wales, attracting 500,000 visitors from 52 different countries as well as a place for the local community.

For the first time in 20 years, we carried out a full inspection during February and March 2024. By closing and draining this much-loved 126ft (38m) historic structure, it enabled Mark and his team to really scrutinise ‘the stream in the sky’ and complete the work needed to keep it safe and open for all to enjoy.