Boaters' Update 27 Oct 2026

Since launching the Better Boating Plan in April, we've continued to focus on the areas that matter most to boaters: keeping the network open, improving reliability and investing in better facilities. In this edition, we share the progress made during the first six months of the plan, including repairs to paddle gear, the removal of sunken boats, thousands of maintenance tasks and ongoing work to improve navigation across the waterways.

You'll also find an update on how we responded to this summer's drought, including lock gate replacements and repairs carried out to help conserve water and keep routes open wherever possible. Looking ahead, our autumn and winter dredging programme is now underway, targeting shallow sections and other navigation pinch points across the network.

Elsewhere, we report on the first major storms of the season, which prompted teams to respond to around 60 fallen trees, rising water levels and a range of other weather-related incidents. There's also news about the Citizens' Boater Panel, a major weed removal programme extracting up to 30 tonnes of aquatic vegetation each week, research examining mental health support for older boaters, and a reminder to watch the recording of our recent Annual Public Meeting.

Better Boating Plan update: delivering improvements across the network

Since launching our Better Boating Plan 2026-2028 in April, we've been working hard to deliver the commitments we've made to improve the boating experience across our waterways.

From repairing locks and maintaining facilities to removing sunken boats and clearing vegetation, our teams have made good progress during the first six months of the programme.

Progress at a glance

So far in 2026, we've:

• Repaired 165 paddle faults
• Completed 3,209 planned maintenance tasks
• Cut 11,294km of grass at locks, moorings and towpaths
• Cleared 1,130 trees identified through network surveys
• Removed 39 sunken boats
• Fixed 78.8% of essential facility faults on the first visit

Keeping you moving

Reliable infrastructure is essential for a smoother journey, which is why we've focused on tackling faults quickly and carrying out preventative maintenance.

This year, we've repaired 165 paddle faults, with 78% completed within four weeks, helping to minimise disruption and keep routes open for navigation. We've also completed 90% of our planned maintenance programme at locks and movable bridges, reducing the risk of unexpected breakdowns and improving reliability across the network.

Improving navigation

We're continuing to invest in the condition and accessibility of the waterways. So far, we've cleared 1,130 trees identified through our inspections and removed 39 sunken boats, helping to improve safety and navigability for everyone using the network.

We've also completed 81% of this year's grass-cutting programme, making it easier and safer for boaters to access locks, lock landings and moorings.

Better facilities for boaters

Providing reliable boating facilities remains a key priority. Our teams and contractors have improved the performance of water points, Elsan disposal points and pump-out facilities, with 78.8% of reported faults resolved on the first visit.

Alongside day-to-day repairs, we're progressing a £4.5 million investment programme to upgrade and standardise facilities across the network. These improvements will make maintenance more efficient, help us respond to faults more quickly and provide a more consistent service for boaters.

Looking ahead

Over the coming months, we'll continue to focus on the areas that matter most to boaters, including:

• Continuing our programme of tree works across the network
• Removing more sunken boats and reducing the current backlog
• Rolling out further improvements to essential boating facilities

You can read the full quarterly update and explore the detailed progress dashboards on our website.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to deliver the Better Boating Plan and create a safer, more reliable and more enjoyable network for everyone.

Annual Public Meeting recording now available

Missed our Annual Public Meeting? You can now watch the recording online (below). Hear from chair David Orr CBE and chief executive Campbell Robb as they discuss our achievements and challenges over the past year, along with updates on finances, fundraising, community impact and plans to improve navigation and boating services.

Bringing forward lock gate replacements during the drought

When the drought was first announced, we reviewed whether we could bring forward planned winter lock gate replacements while some waterways were already affected by low water levels.

Our workshops had either built or were due to complete 33 unique lock gate leaves by the end of August. We worked with local teams to assess which of these could realistically be installed earlier than planned.

Our priority was to keep as much of the network open as possible. We didn’t want to bring forward lock gate replacements on waterways that remained open to boating, as the work would have required additional closures. This significantly reduced the number of suitable projects.

In some locations, the plan was to replace both top and bottom gates together, but only one set of gates had been built. Carrying out the work in two separate visits would have increased costs and disruption, so these projects were ruled out.

We also had to account for logistics such as road closures, heritage consents, and flood risk activity permits, which can take weeks or months to secure.

In the end, we completed all of the lock gate replacements that could reasonably be brought forward and also carried out repairs to other leaking lock gates where possible. Our operational teams also focused on urgent work to retain water and keep supplies moving around the network. These activities helped protect navigation and enabled more waterways to remain open.

With all of the above in mind, over the summer we’ve repaired:

• Locks on the Hurleston Flight on the Llangollen Canal but need to return to replace the top lock gate at Lock 1.
• Bosley Locks 3 and 6 on the Macclesfield Canal
• Lock gates at Lock 21 on the South Stratford Canal
• Locks 72 and 75 on the T&M Canal, but need to go back to undertake further repairs
• Lock 56 on the Rochdale Canal

Alongside planned maintenance, our teams completed a series of operational repairs to lock gates:

• Lock 28 Caen Hill Flight on K&A Canal
• Lock 2 on the Huddersfield Broad Canal
• Barge Bottom Lock bottom gate – whilst completing the planned top gate replacement – the cill had blown
• Monkey Marsh Lock on the K&A Canal
• Brighouse Bottom Lock on the Calder & Hebble
• Zouch Lock on the River Soar
• Widmead Lock on the K&A Canal
• Sulhamstead Lock on the K&A Canal
• Mechanical works at Bevere and Upper lode Locks on the River Severn
• Burghfield Lock on the K&A Canal

Lock gate replacements we’ve brought forward were:

• Froghall Lock on the Caldon Canal – top and bottom gates
• Aynho Lock 33 on the Oxford Canal – top & bottom gates
• Lock 5 and Lock 3 on the K&A Canal – due to fire damage at Lock 5 – top & bottom gates at Lock 5 and bottom gates at Lock 3

We also had planned stoppages at:

• Barge Bottom Lock on Staffs 7 Worcester Canal – top gates
• Lock 45 Trent & Mersey Canal – bottom gates
• Cossington Lock on River Soar – top and bottom gates

Why can't the lock gate programme be changed quickly?

Our workshops build lock gates throughout the year to an agreed programme. Changing that programme at short notice is difficult because timber must be sourced and available, each lock is unique and designs and drawings must be completed, and every gate can take many weeks to manufacture.

For this reason, we focused on installing gates that had already been built, or were close to completion, rather than redesigning the wider programme.

Autumn dredging programme gets underway across the network

As the boating season begins to wind down, we're entering our busiest period of the year for dredging works across the network.

Most dredging takes place between autumn and early spring, when lower water temperatures and fewer environmental constraints provide the best opportunity to carry out this important work. This seasonal window allows us to address shallow sections, lock approaches, winding holes, tunnel approaches and reed encroachment before the start of the next boating season.

Over the coming months, teams will be working at locations across the country to help maintain navigable channels and improve the boating experience.

Planned works this winter

A number of projects are already underway or due to begin shortly, including:

• Gloucester Docks and Gloucester & Sharpness Canal - routine maintenance dredging to maintain navigable depths and support both leisure and commercial traffic.
• Grand Union Canal (Hemel Hempstead area) - tackling several shallow sections identified through surveys and customer feedback.
• Wyrley & Essington Canal - dredging between Wednesfield and Short Heath.
• Dudley No. 2 Canal - works near Gosty Hill Tunnel following reports from boaters.
• Rochdale Canal - addressing siltation in the Newton Heath area of Manchester.
• River Soar Navigation - maintenance dredging at Limekiln Lock in Leicester, a location that requires regular intervention.
• River Weaver Navigation - plough dredging at lock approaches, bends and other shallow sections identified through surveys.
• River Trent Navigation - plough dredging at lock approaches and areas affected by sediment build-up.

Planning for the future

While delivery teams are busy on site this winter, work is already underway to develop next year's dredging programme.

Before any dredging project can begin, extensive preparation is required, including hydrographic surveys, sediment sampling, environmental assessments, disposal planning and stakeholder consultation. Over the coming months, this work will be carried out on a number of schemes currently proposed for delivery in 2027/28, including locations on the:

• Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal
• Peak Forest Canal
• Chesterfield Canal
• Grand Union Canal (North)
• Kennet & Avon Canal
• Shropshire Union Canal
• Coventry Canal
• River Weaver Navigation

This early planning helps us identify the most effective solutions, secure suitable disposal options and minimise disruption once works begin.

Your feedback matters

Boaters’ feedback continues to play an important role in helping us identify and prioritise future dredging projects. Reports of grounding, restricted channel width, blocked winding holes and reed encroachment help us target resources where they can deliver the greatest benefit.

We'll provide a further update later in the winter, highlighting progress on this year's programme and showcasing some of the projects completed across the network.

60 fallen trees and rising waters: storms Austen and Boelo test the network

The arrival of the first named storms of the season, Storm Austen and Storm Boelo, brought heavy rain, strong winds and rising water levels across much of the network over the weekend of 23-25 October.

While incidents ranged from fallen trees and drifting boats to flood management and equipment faults, operational teams worked around the clock to keep waterways safe and navigable wherever possible.

Managing high water in West London

One of the most significant impacts was seen on the River Brent and its tributaries, where intense rainfall caused river levels to rise rapidly.

The Brent Reservoir opened its sluices to manage the increased flows, sending large volumes of water downstream into the Environment Agency-controlled River Brent before entering our network below Hanwell. As a result, a strong stream warning was issued between Hanwell and Brentford.

West London operational staff proactively prepared the water control assets ahead of the rainfall and responded quickly to faults to help manage the flows safely.

While the named storms increased the volume of water entering the system, this type of high-flow event is something teams regularly manage throughout the winter months.

Hundreds of incidents responded to

Across the network, the majority of storm-related callouts involved fallen trees. Teams, contractors and local partners responded to dozens of reports, many of which were cleared within hours to minimise disruption to navigation and towpaths.

Other incidents included:

• Managing high water levels and flood risks at reservoirs, rivers and canal pounds
• Responding to loose, stranded and sinking boats
• Clearing obstructions from canals and towpaths
• Handling power and control-system faults at sluices and flood control structures
• Monitoring reservoir infrastructure and responding to alarms triggered by heavy rainfall

In several cases, boaters also played their part by helping to clear smaller obstructions before teams arrived on site.

Round-the-clock response

From the Lancaster Canal to the Kennet & Avon, the Leeds & Liverpool to the Grand Union, teams in every region were monitoring conditions, responding to incidents and making adjustments to water control structures.

Particular attention was given to reservoirs and flood-prone locations, where water levels were carefully managed ahead of and during the storms to ensure sufficient capacity was available to accommodate incoming rainfall.

The weekend also saw numerous SCADA alerts triggered by changing conditions, with on-call staff responding throughout the day and night to monitor assets and adjust operations where required.

Thank you to our teams

The weekend's events highlighted the important role played by operational, reservoir, engineering and on-call colleagues across our charity.

Their preparation ahead of the storms, rapid response to incidents and continued monitoring of conditions helped limit disruption and keep boaters and towpath users safe during a challenging start to the winter storm season.

As autumn and winter weather continues, teams will remain ready to respond to rising water levels, strong winds and other weather-related impacts across the network.

Citizens’ Boater Panel begins work on future licensing consultation

A new Citizens’ Boater Panel has begun work to help shape our upcoming consultation on creating a clearer, fairer boat licensing system.

Forty boaters have been selected from almost 1,200 applicants through an independent process designed to ensure a broad range of boating experiences, lifestyles and views are represented. Following an initial briefing, panel members are now taking part in co-design workshops to help develop the consultation and consider any next steps arising from the engagement process.

Reflecting the diversity of the boating community

The panel brings together boaters from across the waterway network, including leisure boaters, liveaboard boaters, business boat operators, and boaters both with and without home moorings.

Around half of the panel members use their boat as their home, while almost a third do not have a home mooring. The group also reflects the diversity of the fleet, with members representing narrowboats, wide-beam boats, GRP cruisers and historic craft.

Members range in age from their thirties to their eighties and bring experience from waterways across England and Wales. This includes boaters who cruise extensively across multiple regions, as well as those holding River Only and Gold licences. The panel also includes boaters with disabilities and people with differing views on our management of the waterways, ensuring a wide range of perspectives are represented.

Helping shape the consultation

Matthew Symonds, head of boating and customer service, said: "The Citizens’ Boater Panel brings together people with very different experiences of boating, reflecting the diversity of today's boating community. From liveaboard boaters and leisure cruisers to home moorers and those without moorings who cruise the network, the panel represents a wide range of perspectives from across our waterways.

"As the panel starts its work this week, members will help shape a consultation that gives all boaters the opportunity to contribute to an important conversation about the future of boating on our network."

The panel's role is to help design the consultation before it is launched to all boaters, ensuring the questions are clear, balanced and informed by the realities of boating today.

Following the consultation, members will meet again to review the results and consider whether any recommended changes work for boaters across the network.

To encourage open discussion, we are not publishing the names of panel members, although members are free to talk publicly about their involvement if they wish.

Part of the response to the Boat Licensing Commission

The Citizens’ Boater Panel and co-design process form part of our response to the 2025 independent Commission on Boat Licensing, which concluded that boat licensing arrangements should be reformed to better reflect the current and future use of the waterways.

Further information about the consultation programme is available online.

30 tonnes of weed a week

We're investing more than £150,000 in a major weed removal programme across canals in the North West, as warmer summers and longer growing seasons drive faster growth of aquatic plants.

Managing aquatic weed is becoming an increasingly important part of maintaining our waterways, helping to keep canals navigable, protect wildlife habitats and safeguard water supplies for boaters and local communities.

Warmer weather bringing new challenges

During the summer and early autumn, aquatic plants such as duckweed, floating pennywort and azolla can grow rapidly, particularly during prolonged periods of warm, sunny weather.

These fast-growing plants can quickly spread across large sections of canal, forming dense mats on the water's surface. Carried through the network by water movement, they can establish themselves over long distances in a relatively short period of time.

If left unmanaged, excessive weed growth can make navigation more difficult for boaters, as well as impacting anglers and other waterway users. Dense weed cover can also block sunlight from reaching underwater plants and reduce oxygen levels in the water, affecting fish and other wildlife that rely on healthy canal habitats.

Large-scale weed removal underway

To tackle the problem, we've deployed a fleet of amphibious weed-harvesting machines, known as Truxors, which cut and collect vegetation from the water.

The machines are currently removing around 30 tonnes of weed each week from waterways across the region, including:

• Ribble Link, between Lock 4 and Lock 8 near Preston
• Rufford Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, from St Mary's Marina to Tarleton Lock
• Shropshire Union Canal, from Chester to Tilstone and from Ellesmere Port to Backford
• Leeds & Liverpool Canal, from Johnson's Hill to Blackburn, Red Rock to Wigan, and Lydiate to Aintree

Taking a long-term approach

While mechanical weed removal remains essential to keep waterways open, it forms just one part of a wider strategy to tackle invasive species such as floating pennywort.

In recent years, we have supported trials using a specialist weevil that feeds exclusively on floating pennywort. One trial site on the River Soar proved unsuitable due to frequent changes in water levels during flooding, which made it difficult for the weevils to establish and for results to be monitored effectively. However, trials at other locations have produced encouraging results and continue to inform wider efforts to control the spread of this invasive plant.

Alongside biological control, we're continuing to support manual removal schemes, volunteer-led action and awareness campaigns to help prevent invasive species spreading to new areas. Boaters can also help by following the Check, Clean, Dry approach when moving between waterways.

Supporting navigation and water supplies

The programme is set to continue over the coming months, with further weed clearance planned on the Trent & Mersey Canal, between Barnton and Preston Brook and between Acton Bridge and Dutton Stop Lock, as well as on the Peak Forest Canal between Marple and Hyde.

Steve Maguire, contracts and compliance manager, said: "Our charity works hard throughout the year to manage weed growth across the region's waterways, but warmer weather and longer growing seasons mean the challenge is increasing. Aquatic weeds are growing faster, spreading further and requiring more intervention than in the past.

"This year alone we've already spent more than £150,000 removing weed from North West canals, and the programme continues to grow. As a charity, finding this additional money isn't easy, but keeping canals open, protecting wildlife and maintaining reliable water supplies for boaters and local communities makes this work essential."

As hotter summers become more common, managing aquatic weed is likely to play an increasingly important role in maintaining safe, navigable and wildlife-rich waterways for future generations.

Learn more about floating pennywort, invasive species control and how you can help stop their spread via our invasive species webpages.

Could this research help improve mental health support for older boaters?

A new PhD research project is exploring how older adults living in rural areas manage their mental health and access support, with the aim of improving the help available to those who may be struggling.

Led by Joanne Darrant, a PhD student at Keele University, the study focuses on people aged 60 and over and the particular challenges that can affect their wellbeing, including loneliness, bereavement and physical health problems.

The research is particularly relevant to many boaters. Older boaters, especially those living aboard or spending long periods on the waterways, can face some of the same barriers as other rural communities, including limited access to services, transport and reliable internet connections. Periods of isolation can also affect mental wellbeing.

As part of the project, Joanne will interview older adults and health and social care professionals, observe community groups, and bring people together in workshops to explore how support can be improved.

The study has been shaped by public involvement from the outset, with advisory groups made up of older people with lived experience of rural living, community organisations and health professionals helping to guide the research.

The findings will help build a better understanding of how older adults seek support and could provide valuable insights into how organisations and communities can better support older boaters across the waterways network.

Maintenance this week that may affect cruising

Although recent rainfall has helped water levels begin to recover, some parts of the network remain under pressure following this year's dry conditions with severe drought declared in some regions. As a result, both planned maintenance works and unforeseen issues may affect cruising this weekend.

We're working hard to minimise disruption wherever possible, but some works will require temporary navigation restrictions or closures. Before you set off, we recommend checking the latest stoppage notices for your route and surrounding waterways. You can view all current notices for this week on our interactive map and sign up for personalised alerts to stay informed about any issues that may affect your journey.

If you have a question about a particular stoppage, or spot something that doesn't look quite right on the network, please get in touch. We're always happy to help.