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Spotlight on Britain's lost waterways

5th Jan 2004

Some of Britain's least well-known waterways are being thrust under the spotlight by the Inland Waterways Association.

The group has campaigned for Britain's waterways for over 50 years, and has been instrumental in changing the fortunes of many canals and rivers which were once abandoned and unloved. Such well-known waterways as Warwickshire's River Avon and the picturesque Caldon Canal have been revived through the efforts of the IWA and other volunteers. Today, even canals which have been closed for 150 years are being seriously considered for restoration.

But the Association says that some of Britain's most historic waterways have so far slipped the net. From historic river navigations such as Hampshire's River Itchen to curiosities such as the Duke of Bridgwater's underground canals at Worsley, hundreds of miles of water are yet to be revived.

For the most part, the IWA's own regional branches are already busy on well-established restoration projects. It hopes that other waterway enthusiasts and local people will come forward and help give the 'forgotten few' their place in the New Waterway Age.

Volunteers who are interested in becoming involved are asked to contact the IWA's Restoration Committee by emailing iwa@waterways.org.uk.

Britain's forgotten waterways - the full list

  • River Avon, Hampshire
  • Bentley Canal / Neachells Branch / Anson

Branch, Black Country

  • Beverley Beck, East Yorkshire
  • Bourne Eau, Lincolnshire
  • Bradford Canal, West Yorkshire
  • Bradley Locks Branch, Black Country
  • Bungay Navigation, Norfolk & Suffolk

Broads

  • Cann Quarry Canal, South-West
  • Carlisle Canal, Cumbria
  • Charnwood Forest Canal,

Leicestershire

  • Dartford & Crayford Navigation, Greater

London

  • River Foss, York
  • Guilsfield Branch, Powys
  • Halesworth (Blyth) Navigation, Norfolk

& Suffolk Broads

  • Hollinwood Branch, Greater Manchester
  • Hulme Lock Branch, Greater Manchester
  • River Idle, South Yorkshire
  • River Itchen, Hampshire
  • River Ivel, Bedfordshire
  • Leven Canal, East Yorkshire
  • Liskeard & Looe Canal, Cornwall
  • Newdigate (Arbury) system,

Warwickshire

  • Newport Pagnell Canal, Milton Keynes
  • Nottingham Canal (above Lenton),

Nottinghamshire

  • Nutbrook Canal, Nottinghamshire
  • Penshurst Navigation, Sussex
  • Portsmouth & Arundel Canal (Ford to

Hunston), Hampshire

  • River Rother, Sussex
  • Royal Military Canal, Kent
  • Shropshire / Coalbrookedale / Donnington

Wood / Ketley canals, Shropshire

  • Sow Navigation, Staffordshire
  • Stamford Canal, Lincolnshire
  • Tavistock Canal, Devon
  • Ulverston Canal, Lake District
  • Walton Lock Branch, Lancashire
  • Walton Summit Branch, Lancashire
  • Weston Branch, Runcorn
  • Western Rother, Sussex
  • Worsley Underground Canals, Greater

Manchester

Last updated: 22/10/2008