The 2026 Autumn Waterways Conference, jointly organised by IWA and Canal & River Trust, is taking place on Saturday 14th November at Dudley Canal and Caverns, Dudley, DY1 4SB.
Bringing together restoration groups, waterways professionals and volunteers from across the country, this year’s conference will explore how waterway regeneration can contribute to wider placemaking, community engagement and economic growth.
Through keynote presentations, breakout sessions, workshops and facilitated discussions, delegates will share experiences and explore the evolving role of waterway regeneration within society. The event will provide opportunities for constructive dialogue, knowledge-sharing and joint reflection on the future direction and value of waterways across the UK.
The conference will run from 10.00am to 3.30pm, followed by an optional boat trip beneath Dudley.
Keynote Sessions
The conference will feature two keynote sessions exploring different aspects of placemaking and the social value of waterway regeneration. Marcus Chalenor will open with Placemaking and Canals, exploring what placemaking means, how it can support sustainable waterway networks and create great waterway neighbourhoods, with examples of good practice and the challenges involved in developing a placemaking strategy. Dr Michael Maher will then explore Implementing Social Impact Measurement in Placemaking Projects, This session will explore how waterway restoration creates lasting social value through placemaking, demonstrating that successful projects deliver benefits far beyond the environmental improvements which are often most visible. Drawing on practical experience and real-world examples, it will show how restored waterways can be evidenced to strengthen communities, celebrate heritage, improve community wellbeing and generate local economic activity. The talk will highlight how social impact can be used by project stakeholders to effective measure their demonstrating the value of their work, and helping them build stronger partnerships. Further to this, it will highlight the common barriers and share practical approaches so delegates will leave with a framework for embedding impact measurement into future projects.
Delegates will be able to choose one of three optional breakout sessions.
- Helen Watson Moriarty, Consultant, LCRP CIC – Turning Promotion into Funding
This workshop explores how the Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership has used social media and community engagement to demonstrate social value, build local support, strengthen its case for investment and influence funding decisions. Delegates will reflect on their own communications approach, identifying potential gaps and opportunities, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and use promotion more effectively to help unlock funding opportunities.
- Aaron Atwal, Regional Operations Manager, Canal & River Trust – A Week in the Life of Maintaining and Operating a Canal
Behind every mile of navigable canal lies a huge amount of unseen work. This session takes you behind the scenes of a typical week in the life of the teams responsible for maintaining and operating a 250-year-old living, working waterway network. From responding to safety-critical defects and managing water resources, to maintaining locks, bridges, towpaths and heritage structures, you’ll gain a real insight into the challenges and rewards of keeping the network open, safe and available for everyone to enjoy.
We’ll explore the vital role that volunteers play in helping care for our waterways and celebrate the incredible contribution made by restoration groups, local communities and skilled enthusiasts across the country. Together, these dedicated people help preserve the rich heritage and traditions of our canals while supporting the future of the network. The session will consider how, by combining our skills, knowledge and passion, we can not only bring waterways back to life but also ensure that the canals already open today remain open for generations to come. Ultimately, it’s about working together to protect, maintain and champion one of the nation’s greatest heritage assets.
- Sean McGinley, Regional Director, Canal & River Trust and Andrew Dobson, Senior Restoration Engineer, Canal & River Trust – Restoration Delivery Plan: Six Months In
Following the launch of CRT’s Restoration Delivery Plan the Trust will provide an update on which schemes they have been involved with so far, the progress to date and any changes we think may be needed to the plan based on the first 6 months of use. The session will also be an opportunity to hear the perspective of a restoration group that is using the Plan and to receive wider feedback through a Q&A session at the end.
Afternoon Collective Conversation: Shaping the Future of Our Waterways
Chaired by Paul Rodgers, Sean McGinley, George Rogers and Andy Keane, the afternoon session of the Autumn Waterways Conference will feature a Collective Conversation, bringing delegates together to explore some of the key drivers and challenges facing the waterways sector. The discussion will look at the different priorities, motivations and ambitions that shape our work on waterways, including the balance between restoring derelict waterways and maintaining the existing network, the relationship between environmental priorities, restoration and navigation, and the future role of waterways organisations. Delegates will take part in smaller discussion groups, followed by a wider panel session where key themes and ideas from each group will be shared.
Help shape the dialogue
We would like the session to reflect the issues that matter most to delegates. When booking your place, you will have the opportunity to tell us what topics or questions you would like to explore, what motivates your work on waterways, what you are aiming to achieve through your activities, and what issues you think the sector should be discussing.
Your responses will help us shape the conversation and ensure the debate reflects the experiences and priorities of those attending.
Optional Afternoon Boat Trip: The Underground Experience
Rain or shine, the afternoon boat trip will take us beneath Dudley and into a remarkable underground world created by the town’s industrial past.
The 45-minute, skipper-led journey begins in Dudley Tunnel, the second-longest navigable tunnel in the UK, built around 250 years ago. From there, the boat heads into the Limestone Mine Network, where the caverns were excavated by hand in the 1970s and 1980s by the Dudley Canal & Tunnel Trust.
Along the way, you’ll travel through historic tunnels, vast underground caverns and former mine workings, accompanied by light and sound displays that reveal the extraordinary scale of the spaces around you.
Booking link: Autumn Waterways Conference 2026 | Inland Waterways Association
Bookings close at noon on 30th October. Spaces are limited and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
When booking, you can choose to attend the conference only (£10) or include the optional afternoon boat trip (£18).
If you have any questions about the conference or booking, please get in touch with [email protected] or call Tel: 01494 783 453 Ext 607
We look forward to welcoming you.
Restoration
Autumn Waterways Conference 2026
The 2026 Autumn Waterways Conference, jointly organised by IWA and Canal & River Trust, is taking place on Saturday 14th November at Dudley Canal and Caverns, Dudley, DY1 4SB.
Bringing together restoration groups, waterways professionals and volunteers from across the country, this year’s conference will explore how waterway regeneration can contribute to wider placemaking, community engagement and economic growth.
Through keynote presentations, breakout sessions, workshops and facilitated discussions, delegates will share experiences and explore the evolving role of waterway regeneration within society. The event will provide opportunities for constructive dialogue, knowledge-sharing and joint reflection on the future direction and value of waterways across the UK.
The conference will run from 10.00am to 3.30pm, followed by an optional boat trip beneath Dudley.
Keynote Sessions
The conference will feature two keynote sessions exploring different aspects of placemaking and the social value of waterway regeneration. Marcus Chalenor will open with Placemaking and Canals, exploring what placemaking means, how it can support sustainable waterway networks and create great waterway neighbourhoods, with examples of good practice and the challenges involved in developing a placemaking strategy. Dr Michael Maher will then explore Implementing Social Impact Measurement in Placemaking Projects, This session will explore how waterway restoration creates lasting social value through placemaking, demonstrating that successful projects deliver benefits far beyond the environmental improvements which are often most visible. Drawing on practical experience and real-world examples, it will show how restored waterways can be evidenced to strengthen communities, celebrate heritage, improve community wellbeing and generate local economic activity. The talk will highlight how social impact can be used by project stakeholders to effective measure their demonstrating the value of their work, and helping them build stronger partnerships. Further to this, it will highlight the common barriers and share practical approaches so delegates will leave with a framework for embedding impact measurement into future projects.
Delegates will be able to choose one of three optional breakout sessions.
- Helen Watson Moriarty, Consultant, LCRP CIC – Turning Promotion into Funding
This workshop explores how the Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership has used social media and community engagement to demonstrate social value, build local support, strengthen its case for investment and influence funding decisions. Delegates will reflect on their own communications approach, identifying potential gaps and opportunities, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and use promotion more effectively to help unlock funding opportunities.
- Aaron Atwal, Regional Operations Manager, Canal & River Trust – A Week in the Life of Maintaining and Operating a Canal
Behind every mile of navigable canal lies a huge amount of unseen work. This session takes you behind the scenes of a typical week in the life of the teams responsible for maintaining and operating a 250-year-old living, working waterway network. From responding to safety-critical defects and managing water resources, to maintaining locks, bridges, towpaths and heritage structures, you’ll gain a real insight into the challenges and rewards of keeping the network open, safe and available for everyone to enjoy.
We’ll explore the vital role that volunteers play in helping care for our waterways and celebrate the incredible contribution made by restoration groups, local communities and skilled enthusiasts across the country. Together, these dedicated people help preserve the rich heritage and traditions of our canals while supporting the future of the network. The session will consider how, by combining our skills, knowledge and passion, we can not only bring waterways back to life but also ensure that the canals already open today remain open for generations to come. Ultimately, it’s about working together to protect, maintain and champion one of the nation’s greatest heritage assets.
- Sean McGinley, Regional Director, Canal & River Trust and Andrew Dobson, Senior Restoration Engineer, Canal & River Trust – Restoration Delivery Plan: Six Months In
Following the launch of CRT’s Restoration Delivery Plan the Trust will provide an update on which schemes they have been involved with so far, the progress to date and any changes we think may be needed to the plan based on the first 6 months of use. The session will also be an opportunity to hear the perspective of a restoration group that is using the Plan and to receive wider feedback through a Q&A session at the end.
Afternoon Collective Conversation: Shaping the Future of Our Waterways
Chaired by Paul Rodgers, Sean McGinley, George Rogers and Andy Keane, the afternoon session of the Autumn Waterways Conference will feature a Collective Conversation, bringing delegates together to explore some of the key drivers and challenges facing the waterways sector. The discussion will look at the different priorities, motivations and ambitions that shape our work on waterways, including the balance between restoring derelict waterways and maintaining the existing network, the relationship between environmental priorities, restoration and navigation, and the future role of waterways organisations. Delegates will take part in smaller discussion groups, followed by a wider panel session where key themes and ideas from each group will be shared.
Help shape the dialogue
We would like the session to reflect the issues that matter most to delegates. When booking your place, you will have the opportunity to tell us what topics or questions you would like to explore, what motivates your work on waterways, what you are aiming to achieve through your activities, and what issues you think the sector should be discussing.
Your responses will help us shape the conversation and ensure the debate reflects the experiences and priorities of those attending.
Optional Afternoon Boat Trip: The Underground Experience
Rain or shine, the afternoon boat trip will take us beneath Dudley and into a remarkable underground world created by the town’s industrial past.
The 45-minute, skipper-led journey begins in Dudley Tunnel, the second-longest navigable tunnel in the UK, built around 250 years ago. From there, the boat heads into the Limestone Mine Network, where the caverns were excavated by hand in the 1970s and 1980s by the Dudley Canal & Tunnel Trust.
Along the way, you’ll travel through historic tunnels, vast underground caverns and former mine workings, accompanied by light and sound displays that reveal the extraordinary scale of the spaces around you.
Booking link: Autumn Waterways Conference 2026 | Inland Waterways Association
Bookings close at noon on 30th October. Spaces are limited and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
When booking, you can choose to attend the conference only (£10) or include the optional afternoon boat trip (£18).
If you have any questions about the conference or booking, please get in touch with [email protected] or call Tel: 01494 783 453 Ext 607
We look forward to welcoming you.
