We're are encouraging those out on the cut to report faulty paddles, spots that need more dredging, and places with overgrown vegetation amongst others.
Boaters can use the contact us form on our website to share their knowledge. A Boater App, which will enable boaters to quickly and easily report faults, is in development, with testing planned for summer.
By working together, we can prioritise the increased spend it is planning in 2026 and beyond on the areas that matter most to those on the water. Alongside its multi-million-pound engineering programme that keeps canals navigable, we have committed to spend more on these day-to-day tasks – including an additional £10 million allocated across 2025 and 2026.
What's been achieved
In the last 12 months (1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026), we have:
- Repaired 323 broken paddles, including 89% of newly occurring paddle faults within four weeks. This has seen the backlog of broken paddles fall by 70%. As underwater mechanisms in constant use, paddles are vulnerable and can cause disruption to boaters when they break. By tackling the backlog, fixing all new paddle faults within four weeks, and carrying out more preventative maintenance, we aim to reduce these issues.
- Cleared 1,270 trees and has committed to removing fallen trees that are blocking navigation within 48 hours where possible. We have carried out tree surveys across the network, and more proactive work will take place after the nesting season has finished.
- Stepped up grass cutting in areas that are important for boating. Over 15,000km of grass has been mown, focusing on access and safety for boaters with nine cuts at locks, landings and mooring sites.
Building on last year’s work, this spring and early summer our teams and volunteers will be greasing locks and moving bridges and keeping them cleared of grass and weeds. They’ll also be checked for usability and safety, with light repairs carried out wherever possible. This preventative maintenance should help reduce the need for repairs later in the season.
There will also be continued commitment to tackling sunken boats, which can cause obstacles for navigation. Although primarily the responsibility of the boat owner and their insurers as the navigation authority with a responsibility to all licence holders, will identify all known sunken boats and develop a prioritised plan to remove them, starting with the higher risk cases and those that can be removed quickly. Abandoned boats can reflect the challenges some boaters face and or welfare team is there to help those who are struggling.
Alongside these practical tasks to make cruising smoother, we're investing in the essential services that support boating.
Over the past year, 78% of damaged water points, Elsan and pump-outs were fixed on the first visit, with a new aim set for a repair team to arrive onsite within 24 hours of notification. There is an ongoing programme to standardise facilities and replace obsolete parts, making future maintenance faster and more efficient.
Work will also continue to improve waste management at busy sites. Last year 91% of bins were emptied on time and 90% of our bin sites were made compliant with Simpler Recycling. More work will be done on helping to reduce overflowing bins and to tackle fly-tipping, which caused 5.9% of bin collections to be missed. Boaters are asked to let us know when there’s a problem so missed collections or overflowing bins can be swiftly investigated and rectified.
Outside the additional £10 million investment, we're planning to increase the amount of dredging carried out and prioritise work to fix leaks and save water. We're already invests several millions in dredging every year, £6.8 million in 2024/25, with high demand across the network.
What matter most
Matthew Symonds, our head of boating and customer service, said: “Boaters have been clear about what matters most: reliable infrastructure, well-maintained navigation and facilities they can depend on. We’re focusing our efforts on those areas, so that boating feels easier and more enjoyable across the network.
“We’ve made a solid start with the improvements introduced last year and, while we know there is still some way to go, we are determined to keep building on that progress. By investing more in preventative maintenance, responding more quickly to issues and being transparent about how we’re performing, we want boaters to see and feel the difference.
“Our canals are over 250 years old and require constant care, but with the right focus and continued collaboration with boaters, we can ensure they remain open, navigable and thriving long into the future.”
