The funding has been awarded via the Heritage Stimulus Fund, which is part of the Government's Culture Recovery Fund. This will help our vital work to safeguard our historic canals and rivers, so members of the public can enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of being by water.
Our improvement works
The following projects will benefit from the £1.4m funding: Locks 13 and 15 on the Ashton Canal in Greater Manchester, Ryders Green Locks 1 and 3 in Sandwell, Wigan Locks 73 and 80 and Bingley Five Rise on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, plus conservation work along the Hertford Union Canal, at Soulbury in Bucks, and at Marple on the Peak Forest Canal in Stockport.
Our projects that received grants from Round One of the £1.6m funding included Hunts Lock on the River Weaver, Sawley Locks 1 and 2 on the River Trent, Diglis Lock 1 where the River Severn meets the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, Soulbury Three Locks on the Grand Union Canal, and Wigan Flight Lock 71 on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.
Preserving corridors of nature
Richard Parry, our chief executive, said: “Canals are at the heart of the nation's industrial heritage, forming the transport network that enabled trade and industry to expand more than 200 years ago.
"Now they provide valuable health and wellbeing benefits to those who spend time by or on the water, boating, exercising, or simply enjoying the peace of mind that can come from stepping away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. They provide corridors for nature in the heart of our towns and cities.
“Faced with the demands of a changing climate and more extreme weather events, the task of looking after these ageing assets is a greater challenge than ever, so that we keep them in good working order. We are delighted that the importance of our work has been recognised once again by Historic England and the Government.
“These Heritage Stimulus Fund grants will be spent during our annual winter works programme, which is essential to ensure our canals and rivers can continue to provide a valuable resource to the public.”
Opening up the benefits of heritage to everyone
Heritage sites across England received a boost of £35 million thanks to the Government's Culture Recovery Fund. Administered on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport by Historic England, 142 sites will receive support, bolstering local economies and supporting jobs across the country.
Money from the government's £2 billion Culture Recovery Fund is intended to open up heritage and the benefits it brings to everyone, helping to level up and improve life and opportunities for people in places that need it most.
The latest £35 million funding awards builds on £52 million already allocated from the first round of the Heritage Stimulus Fund, which has supported works at 800 of the country's treasured heritage assets.
