The restoration of Britain’s canals is often thought to have ended with the re-opening of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, which celebrated this summer 25 years since it re-opened in 2001. However, the 21st century has seen a number of volunteer-led canal restoration projects progress across England and Wales, and several are now nearing the completion of their next stages.
The Chesterfield Canal Trust have been working on restoring the canal since the beginning of this century, and the latest section to be restored is through Staveley town centre, where work continues on rebuilding locks and a canal basin. Details here: Staveley Restoration Works – Chesterfield Canal Trust
The Cotswold Canal Trust continue their work on the ‘missing mile’ project which will see the Stroudwater Navigation waterway restored – alongside locks, bridges, and wetlands – to create a navigable route from the River Severn to River Thames. Work started this summer, after six years of planning, on Phase 1. 750m of new canal are currently being built on a new alignment necessitated by the building of the M5. Further details here: The Missing Mile: 300 Metres Dug and Discoveries Unearthed – Cotswold Canals Trust
The Wiltshire and Berkshire Canal Trust continue their work on restoring 70 miles of canal. The latest addition is the building of a swing bridge at Wichelstowe. Further details here: Wilts&BerksCanalTrust
Finally, the Canal and River Trust continue their work on repairing the January 2025 breach on the Langollen Canal at Whitchurch in Shropshire. Details here: Llangollen Canal Breach Repair Updates | Canal & River Trust
Industrial Heritage Networks 