IWA Peterborough Branch

Boston in Lincolnshire and Peterborough in Cambridgeshire are only 30 miles apart as the crow flies – and yet currently to travel between the two, boaters have to brave a challenging Wash crossing or take an arduous 250 mile, 135 lock, 15 day trip along the River Witham, Fossdyke Canal, River Trent, Grand Union Canal and River Nene. The Boston to Peterborough Wetland Corridor aims to change all that by opening up a brand new, direct route.

Using largely existing waterways and public access footpaths, the Boston to Peterborough Wetland Corridor partnership has identified that the addition of approximately 12 miles of new channel will connect with 50 miles of current waterways to create a significant new wetland corridor.

This project connects the River Welland in the north to the River Nene in the south. The new 12-mile route, breathes new life into the waterways that travel through the market towns of Spalding and Market Deeping as well as all the smaller villages along the way.

The new link will provide:

• New route for cyclists and walkers
• Anglers will have a new area to fish
• Paddleboarders and canoeists will be considered – slipways/portage points will be included in the plan
• Flora and fauna will flourish on the wetland corridor
• The economy of the area will receive a much needed boost.

Economic regeneration will come to towns along the Wetland Corridor as the number of visitors increases.