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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

Froghall: Planning protection

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

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

Feature

History and heritage of Britain’s canal and river bridges

IWA’s Sue O’Hare walks us through the history and heritage of Britain’s bridges, how they have developed over time and…

News

Save Waterways Heritage campaign launch

Britain’s canals and rivers are a unique, living heritage – they tell the story of our industrial past. Yet that…

Co-operative moorings

Feature

Co-operative moorings

Co-operative moorings, community moorings… Call them what you will but one thing is certain – they’ve become something of a…

IWA CEO Phil Hornsey at IWA Festival of Water

Feature

Looking to the future at IWA’s AGM

IWA Chief Executive Officer, Phil Hornsey, joined IWA in February of this year. At September’s Annual General meeting he shared…

New IWA trustees

News

New trustees for IWA

The appointments were formally approved at IWA’s AGM on Saturday 25th September. As a result, Rebecca Hughes and Hannah Sterritt will join the…

Save Aberdulais Aqueduct structural survey

News

A plan to save Aberdulais aqueduct

We can now make a plan to save Aberdulais Aqueduct, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, thanks to our successful grant application…

Latest Events

Book now
26 Oct 2021 5 days

Canal Camps

Burslem Port Canal Camp

Burslem Port

Book now
26 Oct 2021

Webinar

Community mooring projects & how boaters are leading the way

Online

27 Oct 2021

Talk

Community Engagement Project

Chorley

27 Oct 2021

Talk

Tug Boats, Barges, Workboats and Floating Plant

Rickmansworth

31 Oct 2021

Guided Walk

Walk at Thurlaston and Draycote

Thurlaston, Warwickshire

Book now
07 Nov 2021

Guided Walk

Regent’s Canal, River Tyburn, Little Venice

London

07 Nov 2021
lock_painting

Volunteering

Volunteer on the Northampton Arm

Northampton

08 Nov 2021
Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal

Talk

Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal – the latest on its restoration

Manchester

09 Nov 2021
boats in a wide lock on the Caledonian Canal

Talk

‘Caledonian Canal’ & social

Blisworth

09 Nov 2021

Talk

Shroppie Fly narrow boat

Ellesmere Port

11 Nov 2021

Talk

Talk – The lost Wharves of our London Port

Croydon

Limited spaces
11 Nov 2021

Work Party

Hanwell Locks

Southall

Find out more

LOVE YOUR WATERWAYS

Together we can protect and restore the waterways; Britain's 7,000 miles of canals and navigable rivers need your help.