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Conserving the waterways

Conservation

We know our waterways are special places – we are working to protect them from thoughtless development and to safeguard their unique environment for future generations.

What’s at risk?

Bee near a plant

Campaign

Aston Nature Reserve: Habitats & heritage

Burslem Branch Canal Trent & Mersey Canal Conservation Area

Campaign

Burslem Branch Canal: Conservation areas

Crown Wharf planning protection for heritage

Campaign

Crown Wharf: Planning protection

Aberdulais Aqueduct waterways heritage at risk from climate change

Campaign

Aberdulais Aqueduct: Heritage structure at risk

Hammersmith Bridge waterways heritage structure at risk

Campaign

Hammersmith Bridge: Heritage structure at risk

Campaign

Ashton & Rochdale Canals: HS2 impacts

Moored boats at Snarestone Wharf on the Ashby Canal

Campaign

Ashby Canal Trail: Regeneration

Campaign

Protecting the waterways from the worst of HS2

Campaign

HS2: Aire & Calder Navigation

Campaign

HS2: Dearne & Dove Canal

Campaign

HS2: Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation

Campaign

HS2: Nottingham Canal

What’s at risk?

Heritage

Our waterways heritage is what makes Britain’s canals and rivers special and it must be actively protected for the future.

HS2 waterways

With significant successes so far, we’re still campaigning to protect the waterways from the worst effects of HS2.

Protection

Some canal and river corridors do not have the protection of being designated conservation areas.

LATEST NEWS

LATEST NEWS

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See all articles
Salterhebble Lock Cottage (Iain Duncan)

News

Salterhebble Lock Cottage Saved from Auction

IWA’s West Riding Branch heritage champions have saved this lock cottage near Halifax on the Calder and Hebble, at the…

News

New Interim Leadership Team

Trustees are pleased to announce that Les Etheridge has been co-opted as a trustee and appointed as National Chair on…

News

Canalway Cavalcade 2022 declared a great success

Beautiful weather on the opening day saw record numbers of visitors to the event with over 120 boats gleaming in…

Volunteers at Dukinfield

News

Celebrating ASHTAC 50 years on

Ashton Attack (ASHTAC for short) followed on from Operation Ashton, the campaign to save the Ashton Canal. Approximately 1000 people…

News

Boating Parade to celebrate Birmingham’s canals

Boaters from across the region are being invited to a spectacular boating parade in association with Birmingham Canal Navigations Society…

Save waterways heritage - aberdulais aqueduct

News

Aberdulais Aqueduct can be saved

In August 2021 IWA successfully applied for a CADW grant to cover the cost of a structural survey of the…

Latest Events

Cancelled
05 Jun 2022
fence repairs

Volunteering

Volunteer on the Northampton Arm

Northampton Arm

Book now
05 Jun 2022

Guided Walk

Grand Surrey Canal, Royal Navy Victualling Yard, Greenland Dock

Surrey Quays, London

Book now
11 Jun 2022

Boat Trips

North West Region Social Gathering

Manchester

12 Jun 2022
fence repairs

Volunteering

Volunteer on the Northampton Arm

Northampton Arm

15 Jun 2022

Guided Walk

Alrewas and the Trent and Mersey Canal

Alrewas

Book now
19 Jun 2022

Guided Walk

Regent’s Canal, River Tyburn & Little Venice

Central London

20 Jun 2022

Restoration

Work Party on the Uttoxeter Canal

Alton, Staffordshire

21 Jun 2022
Task Party - 21-12-21

Volunteering

Volunteer on the Northampton Arm

Northampton Arm

Book now
24 Jun 2022 3-day event

Boat Gathering

Birmingham 2022 Festival Boat Parade

Birmingham

25 Jun 2022

Volunteering

Haslam Park Himalayan Balsam Bash

Preston

25 Jun 2022

Training

Canal Restoration Training Weekend

Tickners Heath

01 Jul 2022 3 days

Festival

Ware Boat Festival 2022

Ware

Find out more

LOVE YOUR WATERWAYS

Britain's waterways are vital; together we can campaign for them now and for the future.