Navigation & Infrastructure

Paddle pledge

With outstanding backlog paddle repairs identified in 2025 almost complete, we will continue to repair any paddle faults as soon as possible (but not longer than four weeks). 

You can view the progress on known paddle faults using our dashboard below. Select a region to find out how many paddles have been repaired near you.

Planned preventive maintenance

We’ll continue to target more resource on planned preventive maintenance (PPM), prioritising re-greasing and clearing vegetation at locks and swing/lift bridges in the spring and early summer ahead of the busier time of the year for boating. 

You can view the progress of our PPM tasks using our dashboard below.

Better grass cutting

Building on 2025’s ambitious programme, we’ll continue to ensure grass is cut at locks and mooring sites and cut more towpaths to the water's edge.

Keep up to date on our progress using the dashboard below.

Better tree management

With in-depth tree surveys complete across all six regions, more winter tree works will take place and we’ll clear unplanned fallen trees blocking navigation within 48 hours.

View our progress on planned tree works informed by our surveys using the dashboard below.

Sunken and abandoned boats

We will identify known, sunken boats at the start of the work programme and develop a strategic framework for removal, targeting higher risk cases and identifying 'quick wins'. 

Over the next 3 years, we’re committed to openly tackling the increased number of sunken boats on the network, which reflect some of the challenges our waterways and boaters face.

We’ll also continue our work resulting from the Licensing Commission Recommendations and develop and publish plans on our future approach to sunken and abandoned boats with a view to speed up the process of removal, where appropriate. 

We will update you on progress on this web page, so please check back here for any updates.