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The charity making life better by water

The Trust to receive over £1.6m from the Government Heritage Stimulus Fund

We have been awarded over £1.6 million in funding for 15 projects across the country.

aerial view of Grand Union Canal lock

The funding, which has been awarded via the Heritage Stimulus Fund, part of the Government's £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, will help our vital work to safeguard the nation's historic canals and rivers, so that everyone can enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of being by water.

Projects receiving the fund

The projects receiving a share of the fund include:

  • Coventry Canal, Coventry Basin, Weighbridge building
  • Grand Union Canal, Blue Bank Lock, Lock 37
  • Grand Union Canal, Soulbury Three Locks, Lock 26 conservation of side ponds
  • Grand Union Canal, Soulbury Three Locks, waterway wall repair
  • Hertford Union Canal, Parnell Road Bridge (Bridge 5), impact damage repair
  • Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Lock 58 (Johnson's Hillock)
  • Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Lock 89 Headgates
  • Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Wigan Flight Lock 71, Wigan Lock repairs
  • River Lee, Ware Bridge (Bridge 64), a.k.a Tumbland Bridge
  • River Trent, Sawley Locks, Sawley Locks 1 & 2
  • River Weaver, Hunts Locks
  • Shropshire Union Canal, Chester Dry Dock, Chester dry dock lock gate replacements
  • Worcester & Birmingham Canal, Coffin Bridge, repair steps, brick repairs, arch, new hand rail
  • Worcester & Birmingham Canal, Diglis Lock 1, Diglis Lock repairs
  • Worcester & Birmingham Canal, Tardebigge Locks, Lock 39

A vital part to our industrial heritage

Richard Parry, our chief executive, said: “The canals were built over 200 years ago and are a vital part of our industrial heritage: you can still use the locks, bridges, tunnels and aqueducts, across our 2,000 miles of waterways, that were great feats of engineering in their time.

"The grant funding we are delighted to be receiving from the Culture Recovery Fund will enable us to carry out important repairs to 15 waterway sites of social and historical importance, much-loved by those who use them and the communities that live alongside.

“Today we recognise the wellbeing benefits of being on or by the water, with our waterways right on the doorstep of millions of people; as a charity, the Canal & River Trust looks after them, promotes their benefits for the nation's physical and mental health, and safeguards them for generations to come.

“This funding 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. We are forecasting a reduction in income of around £20 million due to the pandemic and, while we have prioritised our spending to ensure we have a full programme, this funding will be valuable in helping us carry out all our planned works.

“The task of looking after our waterways remains a challenge: one we are committed to as we aim to keep them in good working order for the nation. We are delighted that the importance of our work has been recognised by the Government.”

Preparing for a cultural bounce back

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “As a nation it is essential that we preserve our heritage and celebrate and learn from our past. This massive support package will protect our shared heritage for future generations, save jobs and help us prepare for a cultural bounceback post covid.”

Kingfisher in flight with small fish in its beak

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Last Edited: 15 October 2020

photo of a location on the canals
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