Burslem Branch Canal

The Trent & Mersey Canal Conservation Area now includes Burslem Branch Canal.

Britain’s canals and rivers are a unique, living heritage. But that heritage is at risk – from urban development, lack of protection, loss of skills and knowledge and climate change.

You can help Save Waterways Heritage.

Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.

Over the last 75 years – since IWA was formed – more than 500 miles of waterway have been restored. This includes the Kennet & Avon Canal, the Rochdale Canal, the Warwickshire Avon, the Peak Forest Canal, Ashton Canal, the southern Stratford-upon-Avon Canal, the Basingstoke Canal, the Droitwich Canals, the Pocklington Canal, the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, much of the Great Ouse, the Droitwich Canals and main route through the Middle Level via Well Creek, and many other besides.

Hundreds of miles of waterways – along with their unique heritage and habitats – are currently starved of funding and rely on constant lobbying by us to safeguard their future.

We want boating on canals and rivers to be more sustainable and – even though the current overall contribution to UK carbon emissions is very small – we want to help reduce emissions on the waterways.

Britain’s canals and rivers are a unique, living heritage. But that heritage is at risk – from urban development, lack of protection, loss of skills and knowledge and climate change.

You can help Save Waterways Heritage.

Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.