Canals: vital connectors for healthier lives, places and society

At a time of growing health inequalities, poor mental health, physical inactivity, loneliness and climate-related challenges, canals provide a free, accessible and scalable national asset that can help improve health outcomes while strengthening communities and supporting climate adaptation.

Our 'vital connector for healthier lives, places and society' report makes a compelling case that canals are not simply waterways; they are strategic assets that can help address some of society's biggest challenges - from health inequalities and inactivity to climate resilience, community connection and pride in place.

The report can be summarised into five key topics:

Canals are preventative health infrastructure

The canal network is one of the UK's largest and most accessible preventative health assets. It can form part of the solution to rising demand on health and care services by:

• Enabling everyday physical activity, active travel and recreation.
• Improving mental wellbeing and reduce stress.
• Supporting social connection and reduce loneliness.

Canals reach communities experiencing the greatest inequalities

One of the report's strongest findings is that canals are disproportionately located within communities facing significant health and wellbeing challenges. It identified that:

• Nearly 9 million people live within a 10-15 minute walk of the network.
• More than half of nearby households experience health and wellbeing inequalities.
• Many canal corridors pass through diverse and economically disadvantaged communities.
• New Intelligent Health reinforces that the canal network can serve the most the disadvantaged communities.

This signifies that it is uniquely positioned to tackle health inequalities, because it is already on the doorstep of the communities with the greatest need.

Canals create healthier, stronger communities

Also highlighted in the report is the role of canals as social infrastructure, and how they bring people together and create pride in place. Canals can:

• Provide free and accessible community space.
• Support volunteering, community action, culture, learning and recreation.
• Strengthen community cohesion, belonging and local identity.

Canals do not just connect places. They connect people, helping build stronger, safer and more resilient communities.

Canals are critical blue-green infrastructure for climate resilience

The report broadens the conversation beyond health to include climate adaptation and environmental resilience. This is through:

• Helping cool urban areas during extreme heat.
• Supporting flood management and water infrastructure.
• Providing nature corridors and active travel routes.
• Contributing to sustainable urban living and health security.

As the impacts of climate change grow, canals are becoming increasingly important as infrastructure that protects people, places and nature.

Partnership unlocks greater impact

The canal network can help deliver priorities across health, planning, active travel, environment, growth and regeneration. Greater impact will come through partnerships with NHS organisations, local authorities, combined authorities, funders, developers, environmental organisations and community groups.

By working together, we can unlock the full potential of the canal network to deliver healthier lives, thriving places and a more resilient future.